Description
Permian Branchiosaurus
- Branchiosaurus
- Lower Permian Age
- Odernheim, Pfalz Germany
- Specimen measures approx. 1 5/8″ long
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Branchiosaurus (from Greek ‘Branchios’, meaning gills and ‘Sauros’, meaning lizard) is a genus of small, lightly built early prehistoric amphibians. Fossils have been discovered in strata dating from the late Pennsylvanian Epoch to the Permian Period.
This tiny amphibian was very similar to the Rachitomi, differing primarily in size. Other distinguishing characteristics include a cartilaginous, less ossified skeleton as well as a shorter skull. Clear traces of gills are present in many fossilized samples, hence the name.
Distribution is uncertain, though available fossils come from central Europe, most famous of which are the Permian Niederkirchen Beds around Pfalz, Germany.
By Nobu Tamura
