Diplocaulus

Period of life:

306-255 mya

Period:

Permian period

Habitat:

Freshwater environment

Taxonomy:

Amphibians

Height:

0.2 m

Countries:

Permian period Diplocaulus | 3D Dinopedia

Dimetrodon

Edaphosaurus

Diplocaulus (306-255 mya)

Meaning of the name: Double membrane

Diplocaul, also known as Diplocaulus, was an extinct amphibian that lived about 300-250 million years ago in the southern United States and northern Morocco. It had a stout body with a boomerang-shaped head. In terms of lifestyle, it was similar to a fairly large salamander, reaching up to a meter in length. The complete tail of the genus is unknown, but the most complete articulated skeleton, described in 1917, preserved a series of tail vertebrae near the skull.

This was interpreted as indirect evidence of a long, slender tail capable of reaching the head if the animal coiled itself. In most studies conducted after this discovery, it is claimed that eel-like tail movement was the main driving force of Diplocaulus. Judging by body imprints, a skin fold stretched from the boomerang-shaped head to the limbs, giving the amphibian a resemblance to a stingray. Scientists believe that the ideal food source for these tetrapods were small Paleoniscid fish, which were abundant in freshwater bodies of that time.

Discussions

No discussions yet

Start the first one!

Start a discussion