Protoclepsydrops
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Protoclepsydrops is an extinct genus of early synapsids, found in Joggins, Nova Scotia.[1] The name means 'first Clepsydrops', and refers to it being the predecessor of the other early synapsid Clepsydrops.
Description
Like Archaeothyris, Protoclepsydrops resembled a modern lizard in superficial appearance. However, Protoclepsydrops had primitive vertebrae with tiny neural processes typical of their amniote ancestors. Protoclepsydrops is known from a few vertebrae and some humeri.[2]
Classification
Its skeletal remains indicate that it may have been more closely related to synapsids than to sauropsids, making it a possible stem-mammal. If so, it is the oldest synapsid known, though its status is unconfirmed because its remains are too fragmentary. Protoclepsydrops lived slightly earlier than Archaeothyris.[3] It is possibly synonymous with Asaphestera, another early synapsid discovered from the same locality.[4]
See also
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- List of pelycosaurs
- Evolution of mammals
- List of transitional fossils
- Carboniferous tetrapods
- Clepsydrops
References
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Reisz, R., 1972. Pelycosaurian reptiles from the middle Pennsylvanian of North America. Harvard University.
- ↑ Benton M.J. and Donoghue P.C.J. 2006. Palaeontological evidence to date the tree of life. Molecular biology and evolution. 24(1): 26–53. [1]
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
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