Nectridea

Nectrideans
Temporal range: Late Carboniferous–Ufimian
Life restoration of Diplocaulus.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subclass: Lepospondyli
Node: Holospondyli
Order: Nectridea
Miall, 1875
Subgroups

See text.

Nectridea is the name of an extinct order of lepospondyl tetrapods from the Carboniferous and Permian periods, including animals such as Diplocaulus. In appearance, they would have resembled modern newts or aquatic salamanders, although they are not amphibians.[1][2] They had long, flattened tails to aid in swimming, and well-developed hind limbs, with a full set of five toes each. Their forelimbs were somewhat reduced, however, and like modern amphibians, typically had only four toes each.[3]

Taxonomy

Nectridean skull

References

  1. Laurin, Michael. "Phylogeny of Stegocephalians". Tree of Life. Tree of Life Web Project. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  2. "Palaeos: Vertebrates: Lepospondyli: Overview". Palaeos. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  3. Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 54. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.


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