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LIST OF THE RICHARDS SPUR (FORT SILL) TETRAPOD PALEOFAUNA Stratigraphic chart of the lower Permian (partial) Content updated April 24, 2006
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BRANCHIOSAURIDAE Temnospondyli-Dissorophoidea-Branchiosauridae Branchiosauridae are little temnospondyls referable to the Dissorophoidea, known from the late Carboniferous till the early permian of Europe. They are characterized by a salamander like appearance, the best preserved specimens show the presence of three pairs of external gills and ventral and dorsal caudal fins, these are larval features, but branchiosaurids, as well as micromelerpetontids, show no connections to established postmetamorphic taxa and probably are distinct radiations evolved through neoteny or paedomophosis. 2) Branchiosaurus: enlarged picture of the skull of the same skeleton 1) Apateon: complete specimen and disarticulated skull 2) Apateon: enlarged picture of the same disarticulated skull |