Broomistega
Period of life:
251-249 million years ago
Period:
Habitat:
Floodplains
Taxonomy:
Amphibians
Height:
0.06 m
Countries:
What the name means: "Broom's roof".
The name is given in honor of the South African paleontologist Robert Broom. The ending "stega" comes from the Greek word for "roof" or "covering". This name is related to the distinctive structure of the skull.
Broomistega is an extinct genus of amphibians that lived in the territory of modern South Africa in the early Triassic period, about 252 million years ago. This was a time after one of the most massive extinctions on Earth, the Permian-Triassic extinction, which destroyed about 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrates. The discovery of Broomistega is important for understanding how life on Earth recovered after this catastrophic event. Broomistega, known from only one species — Broomistega putterilli, was part of the Rhinesuchidae family and represents one of the few known amphibians living at the beginning of the Triassic period.
Broomistega was a small-sized amphibian, reaching a length of about 30 cm, with a flattened head and large eyes on the sides, providing a wide field of view. Its powerful jaws were armed with sharp teeth, perfect for hunting. Its body was compact and stocky, with four short but strong limbs. A long tail probably helped the animal swim and maneuver in water. The skin of Broomistega was likely smooth and moist, similar to modern amphibians. Overall, Broomistega resembled a mix between a salamander and a crocodile, with a flattened head, short legs, and a long tail. Unfortunately, due to a lack of fossil data, the color of this animal is unknown.
Other animals
INTERESTING FACTS
PUZZLES
HOME
3D MODEL "SKIN"
3D MODEL "MUSCLES"
3D MODEL "SKELETON"
VISION
NEIGHBORS
VOICE ACTING
AR - MODE
GALLERY
HISTORY OF DISCOVERIES
