Trimerorhachis insignis
(Cope, 1878)
Class Amphibia, Order Temnospondyli, Family Trimerorhachidae
Geological Time: Lower Permian
Size: Skull: 100 mm long by 100 mm wide Matrix: 170 mm by 140 mm
Fossil Site: Hennessy Formation, Tillman County, Oklahoma
Code: UKF240
Price: Sold
 Description:
This is a fine fossil specimen of a rarely seen amphibian; a temnospondyl
known as  Trimerorhachis.
The genus derives its name from the tripartite vertebrae. It is placed
here in the Reptile section of the store as amphibians are almost
never offered. The Temnosodyli were thought to have died out at the
end of the Jurassic, but new material shows that they survived until
the Late Cretaceous Aptian Stage. The genus were aquatic amphibians
inhabiting rivers and lakes. Its sharp teeth were suited to preying
on fish and other smaller amphibians in its environment. It had sales
and a bony integument of osteoderms much like modern-day crocodylians.
This is a fine skull of the interesting amphibian, seen here in association
wityh numerous other skeletal elements. Note particularly the fact
that there are two mandibles present on the reverse that by their
differing sizes are indicative of a second individual. I have included
a restoration of what it looked like in lifes. |
