Araeoscelis

Graphical live reconstruction of Araeoscelis

• North America (USA)

• Araeoscelis gracilis (Williston, 1910)
• Araeoscelis casei ( Broom, 1913)

Araeoscelis is a genus of extinct reptiles. She lived during the Permian and is therefore one of the first Diapsida. Fossils have been found in North America (USA). Araeoscelis was first described by Samuel Wendell Williston. The type species is Araeoscelis gracilis; a second type, Araeoscelis casei, was described in 1913 by Robert Broom.

Features

Araeoscelis was about 60 cm long. He looked similar to a modern lizard. The neck was extended compared to Petrolacosaurus and slim. In contrast to basal ( primitive ) Araeoscelidia such as Petrolacosaurus, the teeth were longer and blunt. The skull resembled more those of Euryapsida than those of other Diapsida: So that's lower pace Ralf Rochester, a skull window in the rear of the skull, closed secondary to Araeoscelis. The skull was massive and powerfully built, which is probably an adaptation to a hefty bite figured that was potentially suitable for cracking the shells of insects.

System

Araeoscelis is the eponymous representative of Araeoscelidia. The Araeoscelidia are considered the basalste group of Diapsiden.

The relationships of this genus have long been controversial. Williston (1913, 1914) described Araeoscelis initially as an ancestor of lizards. However, subsequent authors classified him due to the closed lower pace Ralf Sters representing the Sauropterygia, others saw a close relationship to the Synapsida. Later Araeoscelis has been identified as a relative of Petrolacosaurus, both genera are now classified within a monophyletic Araeoscelidia. Within the Araeoscelidia Araeoscelis is often classified within the family Araeoscelidae.