Zatrachydidae

Zatrachys serratus

• United States
• Germany

• Acanthostomatops ( Credner 1883)
• Dasyceps ( Huxley 1859)
• Stegops ( Moodie 1909)
• Zatrachys ( Cope 1878)

The Zatracheidae, alternatively Zatrachydidae, is a family of Temnospondyli whose fossils in the Upper Carboniferous and Lower Permian of the USA and the Permian were found from Germany. The basalste ( original next ) is Stegops representatives from Upper Carboniferous rocks in Ohio.

As is true synapomorphy of the early Amphibamiden similar palate with large openings between the wing legs. The orbit of Zatracheidae are comparatively small. In the course of the lateral line organs low bone combs were available, similar to the Dissorophiden. These features suggest an origin at the base of Dissorophoidea.

In more derived genera, the trend showed extremely flat skulls and further reduced orbit. It subsided after a rear -facing spines on the neck and cheeks, possibly for protection from predators.

Swell

• Temnospondylen
• Temnospondyli