Platyhystrix

Live reconstruction of Platyhystrix

• Texas ( USA)

• Platyhystrix rugosus

Platyhystrix ( a "flat porcupine " ) is a genus of primitive amphibians similar terrestrial vertebrates from the extinct group of Temnospondyli and the family of Dissorophidae. Typical of Platyhystrix was that it had a back sail, similar to the unspecified related synapsids Dimetrodon and Edaphosaurus. Fossils of Platyhystrix were found in Texas ( USA); these are dated to the Upper Carboniferous and Lower Permian. Paltyhystrix was first described in 1910 by Ermine Cowles Case. The only way is Platyhystrix rugosus ( " wrinkled P. ").

Description

Platyhystrix had a compact body, including the tail reached about 1 m in length. The short, stocky legs indicate a terrestrial ( land-dwelling ) lifestyle. The skull was built big and strong. Platyhystrix a bit unusual Dissorophide. The vertebrae were extended and probably wore a back sail. Similar as in Dimetrodon and Edaphosaurus it was probably used for thermal regulation. The back was covered with skin plates ( osteoderms ) that were also present in close relatives such as Cacops.

System

Platyhystrix was a basal Dissorophidae. His closest relative was probably Ecolsonia. Derived Dissorophidae are Dissorophus and Broiliellus and Kamacops and Cacops. Below is a cladogram by Reisz et al. (2009):

Amphibamidae

Trematopidae

Platyhystrix

Ecolsonia

Broiliellus

Dissorophus

Cacops

Kamacops

Swell

• Michael J. Benton and John Sibbick: Vertebrate Palaeontology
• Barry Cox, Colin Harrison, R.J.G. Savage, and Brian Gardiner: The Simon & Schuster Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Creatures: A Visual Who's Who of Prehistoric Life
• C. I. Camp: Bibliography Of Fossil Vertebrates