Protoclepsydrops

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.

Protoclepsydrops
Temporal range: Late Carboniferous, 318–315 Ma
↓
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Amniota
Clade: Synapsida (?)
Genus: †Protoclepsydrops
Carroll, 1964
Type species
†Protoclepsydrops haplous
Carroll, 1964

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]

See also

References
  1. Carroll, Robert L. (1964). "The earliest reptiles". Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology. 45 (304): 61–83. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1964.tb00488.x.
  2. Reisz, R., 1972. Pelycosaurian reptiles from the middle Pennsylvanian of North America. Harvard University.
  3. 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.
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