Hylonomus

Taxobox
name = "Hylonomus"
fossil_range = Early Pennsylvanian (Late Carboniferous)

---

image_caption = The primitive sauropsid, "Hylonomus lyelli"
image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
subphylum = Vertebrata
classis = Sauropsida
subclassis = Anapsida
ordo = Captorhinida
familia = Protorothyrididae
genus = "Hylonomus"
species = "H. lyelli"
binomial = "Hylonomus lyelli"

"Hylonomus" ("hylo-" "forest" + "nomos" "wanderer") [ [http://www.paleofile.com/Demo/Taxa/Hylonomus.htm Genus "Hylonomus" Etymology] ] was an early reptile. It lived 315 Ma (million years ago) during the Carboniferous period. As of 2006 it is the earliest confirmed reptile ("Westlothiana" is older but may be an amphibian). It was 20 cm long (including the tail) and probably would have looked rather similar to modern lizards. It had small sharp teeth and probably ate small invertebrates, such as millipedes or early insects. It is a precursor of later reptiles. Fossils of the basal pelycosaur "Archaeothyris" and the basal diapsid "Petrolacosaurus" are also found in the same region of Nova Scotia.

Fossils of "Hylonomus" have been found in the remains of fossilized tree stumps in Joggins, Nova Scotia. It's thought that after harsh weather, the tree tops would crash down and the stumps became hollowed out due to rot. "Hylonomus" individuals seeking shelter would enter but get trapped, starving to death.

Fossilized footprints found in New Brunswick have been attributed to "Hylonomus". [* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7047065.stm Ancient reptile tracks unearthed] - URL accessed October 22, 2007]

This animal was discovered by Sir William Dawson in the 1800s. The name comes from the Greek word for wood, the Latin for mouse (forest mouse), and the name of the geologist, and Dawson's teacher, Sir Charles Lyell.

References

External links

* [http://www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/HOUSE_OF_ASSEMBLY/Symbols/fossil.htm Nova Scotia provincial fossils] - Accessed January 10, 2008
* [http://museum.gov.ns.ca/fossils/sites/joggins/joggins2.htm Fossils of Nova Scotia - The Tree Stump Animals] - Accessed January 10, 2008
* [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-transitional/part1b.html Transitional Vertebrate Fossils FAQ Part 1B] - Accessed January 10, 2008
* [http://www.jogginsfossilcliffs.net/cliffs/history/ Early Researchers & Finds of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs] - Accessed August 1, 2008
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20071219181938/http://www.creda.net/~jfcliffs/science.htm The Science of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs] - Accessed August 2 2008