Desmatodon

Desmatodon
Desmatodon
Temporal range: Late Carboniferous, 306–299 Ma
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
(unranked): Reptiliomorpha
Suborder: †Diadectomorpha
Family: †Diadectidae
Genus: †Desmatodon
Case, 1908
Species
  • †D. hollandi Case, 1908 (type)
  • †D. hesperis Vaughn, 1969

Desmatodon is an extinct genus of diadectid reptiliomorph. With fossils found from the Late Carboniferous of Pennsylvania, Colorado, and New Mexico in the United States, Desmatodon is the oldest known diadectid. Two species are currently recognized: the type species D. hollandi and the species D. hesperis.

Description

Remains of Desmatodon have been found from the Red Knob Formation of Pennsylvania, the Sangre de Cristo Formation in Colorado, and the Cutler Formation of New Mexico. The genus is known mostly from teeth and portions of skulls. The cheek teeth are robust and spade-shaped with several cusps on their surfaces. The two species can be distinguished by the distribution of teeth in their jaws; D. hesperis has tightly packed teeth while D. hollandi has widely spaced teeth. In both species, the lower jaw is deep and possesses a ridge that may have aided in chewing plant material. Some specimens that are thought to belong to young individuals have fewer, more widely-spaced teeth with no wear facets.[1]

Paleobiology

Like most other diadectids, Desmatodon was a terrestrial herbivore that consumed high-fiber plants. Protruding incisiform teeth and a large digestive tract may have allowed the animal to effectively consume and digest plant material. Being the oldest diadectid, Desmatodon also is the oldest known herbivorous land vertebrate.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Kissel, R. (2010). Morphology, Phylogeny, and Evolution of Diadectidae (Cotylosauria: Diadectomorpha). Toronto: University of Toronto Press. pp. 185. hdl:1807/24357. 
Abyssal Brachiopod 00148.jpg Paleontology portal



Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Desmatodon — Desmatodon …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Desmatodon — ID 26158 Symbol Key DESMA3 Common Name desmatodon moss Family Pottiaceae Category Moss Division Bryophyta US Nativity N/A US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution N/A Growth Habit N/A …   USDA Plant Characteristics

  • Desmatodon cernuus — ID 26159 Symbol Key DECE70 Common Name desmatodon moss Family Pottiaceae Category Moss Division Bryophyta US Nativity Native to U.S. US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution N/A Growth Habit Nonvascular …   USDA Plant Characteristics

  • Desmatodon convolutus — ID 26160 Symbol Key DECO10 Common Name convolute desmatodon moss Family Pottiaceae Category Moss Division Bryophyta US Nativity Native to U.S. US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution N/A Growth Habit Nonvascular …   USDA Plant Characteristics

  • Desmatodon guepinii — ID 26161 Symbol Key DEGU Common Name Guepin s desmatodon moss Family Pottiaceae Category Moss Division Bryophyta US Nativity Native to U.S. US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution N/A Growth Habit Nonvascular …   USDA Plant Characteristics

  • Desmatodon heimii — ID 26162 Symbol Key DEHE7 Common Name Heim s desmatodon moss Family Pottiaceae Category Moss Division Bryophyta US Nativity Native to U.S. US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution N/A Growth Habit Nonvascular …   USDA Plant Characteristics

  • Desmatodon heimii var. arctica — ID 26163 Symbol Key DEHEA Common Name arctic Heim s desmatodon moss Family Pottiaceae Category Moss Division Bryophyta US Nativity Native to U.S. US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution N/A Growth Habit Nonvascular …   USDA Plant Characteristics

  • Desmatodon heimii var. heimii — ID 26168 Symbol Key DEHEH3 Common Name Heim s desmatodon moss Family Pottiaceae Category Moss Division Bryophyta US Nativity Native to U.S. US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution N/A Growth Habit Nonvascular …   USDA Plant Characteristics

  • Desmatodon latifolius — ID 26170 Symbol Key DELA70 Common Name wideleaf desmatodon moss Family Pottiaceae Category Moss Division Bryophyta US Nativity Native to U.S. US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution N/A Growth Habit Nonvascular …   USDA Plant Characteristics

  • Desmatodon laureri — ID 26172 Symbol Key DELA71 Common Name Laurer s desmatodon moss Family Pottiaceae Category Moss Division Bryophyta US Nativity Native to U.S. US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution N/A Growth Habit Nonvascular …   USDA Plant Characteristics

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”