Ophiderpeton

Ophiderpeton
Temporal range: Early Carboniferous to Early Permian 345.3–294.6 Ma
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Subclass: Lepospondyli
Order: Aïstopoda
Family: Ophiderpetontidae
Genus: Ophiderpeton
Huxley, 1866
Species

O. granulosum
O. amphiuminum
O. nanum
O. vicinum
O. pectinatum
O. zieglerianum

Ophiderpeton is an extinct genus of lepospondyl amphibian from the early Carboniferous to the early Permian. Remains of this genus are widespread and were found in Ohio, United States and the Czech Republic (Central Europe).

An aïstopod, Ophiderpeton was snake-like, without any trace of limbs. Its body was about 70 centimetres (28 in) long, with 230 vertebrae. The skull measured 15 millimetres (0.59 in), and large, forward-facing eyes, suggesting a hunting lifestyle. It probably lived in burrows, feeding on insects, worms, millipedes, and snails.[1][2]

A large number of species are classified in the genus, and similar animals, Phlegethontia and Sillerpeton, are known. An earlier genus, Lethiscus, is known from the Carboniferous and Early Permian.

References

  1. ↑ Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 54. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
  2. ↑ Dixon, Dougal (2007). The world encyclopedia of dinosaurs & prehistoric creatures (Hardback ed.). London: Lorenz. p. 69. ISBN 978-0754817307.


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