Greererpeton

Taxobox
name = "Greererpeton"
fossil_range = Middle Carboniferous

---

image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = †Temnospondyli
ordo_authority = Zittel, 1888
familia = †Colosteidae
familia_authority = Cope, 1875
genus = "†Greererpeton"
genus_authority = Romer, 1969
species = "†G. buckemorani"
species_authority = Romer, 1969

"Greererpeton" is an extinct genus of temnospondyl amphibian from the Early Carboniferous period (late Visean). It was about up to 1,5 m (5 ft) long.

"Greererpeton" was a highly elongated creature adapted for swimming. Its body had 40 vertebrae, twice as much as average, and a flattened skull of about 18 cm (7 in) long. The limbs were short and mainly used to steer the creature as it was propelled by its long tail. Some marks on the side of the skull indicate that "Greererpeton" had a lateral line, a sensory organ commonly found in fish. This showed that it was still a primitive amphibian. Its ears were poorly developed. Greererpeton was a carnivore and lived in rivers and swamps. M. Alan Kazlev (1998) [http://www.palaeos.com/Paleozoic/Carboniferous/Carboniferous.htm The Carboniferous Period of the Paleozoic Era: 299 to 359 million years ago] , Palaeos.org, Retrevied on 2008-06-23 ]

External links

* [http://www.palaeos.com/Vertebrates/Units/150Tetrapoda/150.400.html Greerpeton & Spathicephalus from Palaeos web]
* [http://jpaleontol.geoscienceworld.org/cgi/content/abstract/75/5/1016 THE MANDIBLE OF THE PRIMITIVE TETRAPOD GREERERPETON by JOHN R. BOLT and R. ERIC LOMBARD]
* [http://www.paleoclones.com/newitems/971.jpgSkull fossil]

Footnotes