Keraterpeton
Encyclopedia
Keraterpeton is an extinct genus of lepospondyl
amphibian
from the Carboniferous
period of Europe and North America.
Keraterpeton was a salamander
-like creature about 30 centimetres (11.8 in) long. Its tail was remarkably long taking up two thirds of the animal's total length, and was laterally flattened, presumably to aid in swimming. Its skull
was round and short, especially when compared to its Permian
relative, Diplocaulus
. Its hind legs had five toes, and were longer than the forelimbs, which had only four toes.
Although Keraterpeton had a long body, it did not have more vertebrae than most other amphibian species (15-26 on average).
Lepospondyli
Lepospondyli are a group of small but diverse Carboniferous to early Permian tetrapods. Six different groups are known, the Acherontiscidae, Adelospondyli, Aïstopoda, Lysorophia, Microsauria and Nectridea, and between them they include newt-like, eel- or snake-like, and lizard-like forms, along...
amphibian
Amphibian
Amphibians , are a class of vertebrate animals including animals such as toads, frogs, caecilians, and salamanders. They are characterized as non-amniote ectothermic tetrapods...
from the Carboniferous
Carboniferous
The Carboniferous is a geologic period and system that extends from the end of the Devonian Period, about 359.2 ± 2.5 Mya , to the beginning of the Permian Period, about 299.0 ± 0.8 Mya . The name is derived from the Latin word for coal, carbo. Carboniferous means "coal-bearing"...
period of Europe and North America.
Keraterpeton was a salamander
Salamander
Salamander is a common name of approximately 500 species of amphibians. They are typically characterized by a superficially lizard-like appearance, with their slender bodies, short noses, and long tails. All known fossils and extinct species fall under the order Caudata, while sometimes the extant...
-like creature about 30 centimetres (11.8 in) long. Its tail was remarkably long taking up two thirds of the animal's total length, and was laterally flattened, presumably to aid in swimming. Its skull
Skull
The skull is a bony structure in the head of many animals that supports the structures of the face and forms a cavity for the brain.The skull is composed of two parts: the cranium and the mandible. A skull without a mandible is only a cranium. Animals that have skulls are called craniates...
was round and short, especially when compared to its Permian
Permian
The PermianThe term "Permian" was introduced into geology in 1841 by Sir Sir R. I. Murchison, president of the Geological Society of London, who identified typical strata in extensive Russian explorations undertaken with Edouard de Verneuil; Murchison asserted in 1841 that he named his "Permian...
relative, Diplocaulus
Diplocaulus
Diplocaulus is an extinct genus of leponspondyl amphibian from the Permian period of North America.- Description :...
. Its hind legs had five toes, and were longer than the forelimbs, which had only four toes.
Although Keraterpeton had a long body, it did not have more vertebrae than most other amphibian species (15-26 on average).