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Temnospondyls
| Scientific Classification |
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Temnospondyls were an order of amphibians that
evolved during the Carboniferous period, perhaps
around 350 million years ago, and were successful
during the the Carboniferous, Permian, and
Triassic
periods.
The majority of them became extinct at around end of the
Triassic,
but some survived through the
Jurassic
and into the
Cretaceous,
with the last Temnospondyls dying out around 100 million years ago.
Temnospondyls were extremly diverse, and during their history
adapted to many different environments, including freshwater,
semi-aquatic fresh water, and terrestrial.
One group of fish-eaters, the Trematosaurs even adapted to marine
environments - the only amphibians ever to do so
(apart from the modern crab-eating frog which can tolerate
salt water environments). Additionally, Temnospondyls might well include
the ancestors of modern frogs and salamanders (see
Gerobatrachus)
Temnospondyls varied greatly in size and shape.
The largest was Prionosuchus, which was in fact the largest
amphibian known, and which could grow as long as 30 feet (9 meters).
In terms of shape, some Temnospondyls resembled
newts, and in some cases even retained gills, some
grew robust limbs and adapted to life on land (although these
tended to be gradually displaced by reptiles as time progressed), and some
(including Prionosuchus)
resembled crocodiles without armor.
Click here for more Temnospondyl Pictures
Temnospondyls were amphibians that lived between 350 and 100 million years ago
Related Information & Resources
See Also
Temnospondyl Books
Here are some books from Amazon.com:
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By J. Sebastien Steyer & J. Castanet
Elsevier
Digital
![First histological and skeletochronological data on temnospondyl growth: palaeoecological and palaeoclimatological implications [An article from: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516708A3WQL._SL160_.jpg) | List Price: $5.95*
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This digital document is a journal article from Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, published by Elsevier in 2004. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Description:
The metoposaurid Dutuitosaurus ouazzoui, from the Carnian (Upper Triassic) of southern Morocco is one of the best known temnospondyls; more than 75 specimens have been found, including 15 sub-complete skeletons of various sizes from ImiN'Tanoute, a mass mortality locality (Bull. Soc. Geol. Fr. 25 (1983) 623) in the Argana Basin, Western High Atlas. Ten femora, sampled from sub-complete skeletons belonging to a growth series, have been sectioned at the mid-diaphyseal level in order to perform histological and skeletochronological analyses. Sections from juveniles and adults show microstructures typical of aquatic stegocephalians (absence of a free medullary cavity, presence of an extensive spongiosa that merges gradually into a cortical compacta). Bone sections from juveniles reveal a relatively high initial growth rate (no secondary osteons, cortex with wide and densely vascularized growth zones, alternating with thin annuli or Lines of Arrested Growth-LAGs). Bone sections from adults indicate a decreased growth rate (less vascularized external cortex, osteocyte lacunae parallel to the cortical stratification), probably after the acquisition of sexual maturity, and a moderate amount of remodeling (presence of a few secondary osteons, of erosion bays in the cortical compacta). Growth marks are correlated with environmental changes, likely to be seasonal cycles. Compactness profiles have been quantified using 'Bone profiler'. Comparison with profiles of extant taxa confirms the hypothesis that Dutuitosaurus was aquatic. |
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Books LLC
Paperback (272 pages)
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Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Temnospondyli, Eryops, Cheliderpeton, Mastodonsaurus, Thoosuchus, Brachyopoidea, Gerobatrachus, Prionosuchus, Kryostega, Dissorophidae, Brachyopomorpha, Koolasuchus, Paracyclotosaurus, Capitosauria, Branchiosaurus, Platyhystrix, Gerrothorax, Dissorophoidea, Dendrerpeton, Metoposaurus, Dvinosauria, Australerpeton, Saharastega, Micropholis, Eryopoidea, Parotosuchus, Peltobatrachus, Archegosaurus, Trematosauria, Mastodonsauroidea, Mastodonsauridae, Deltasaurus, Eryopidae, Zatrachydidae, Iberospondylus, Balanerpeton, Deltasaurus Kimberleyensis, Trematosauroidea, Cacops, Amphibamus, Dvinosaurus, Platyoposaurus, Cochleosaurus, Chigutisauridae, Apachesaurus, Acheloma, Watsonisuchus, Archegosauroidea, Koskinonodon, Sclerocephalus, Stereospondyli, Nigerpeton, Plagiosauridae, Archegosauridae, Brachyopidae, Wetlugasaurus, Cyclotosaurus, Microposaurus, Laidleria, Eryosuchus, Plagiosauroidea, Metoposauroidea, Sclerothorax, Capetus, Wantzosaurus, Siderops, Zygosaurus, Actinodontidae, Rhytidosteidae, Stereospondylomorpha, Rhytidosteoidea, Konzhukovia, Trematosaurus, Dasyceps, Batrachosuchus, Cochleosauridae, Intasuchus, Aphaneramma, Pelorocephalus, Eocyclotosaurus, Euskelia, Rhinesuchidae, Cherninia, Metoposauridae, Collidosuchus, Limnarchia, Edops, Dendrerpetontidae, Lydekkerinidae, Lapillopsidae, Plagiosternum, Trematopsidae, Benthosuchus, Compsocerops, Trematolestes, Zatrachys, Micromelerpetontidae, Deltasaurus Pustulatus, Trimerorhachidae, Capitosaurus, Chenoprosopus, Plagiosaurus, Eobrachyopidae, Kamacops, Clamorosaurus, Melosaurus, Latiscopidae, Plagioscutum, Onchiodon, Tryphosuchus. Excerpt: Acheloma Fossil range: Early Permian , 272.5.0 279.5 Ma Pre O S D C P T J K Pg N item Synonyms item Trematops milleri Williston, 1909 Skeleton Acheloma (also known as Trematops milleri ) is an exti... |
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By Robert Holmes
Harvard University
Paperback
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By S.W. Williston
J Geol
Unknown Binding
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By Robert W Hook
American Museum of Natural History
Unknown Binding (41 pages)
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By Stephen James Godfrey
Museum of Comparative Zoology
Unknown Binding (25 pages)
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By Robin Henry Hewison
R H Hewison
Paperback (80 pages)
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