Detailed Trimerorhachis Permian Amphibian Fossil

Trimerorhachis insignis

(Cope, 1878)

Class Amphibia, Order Temnospondyli, Family Trimerorhachidae

Geological Time: Lower Permian

Size: (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Fossil is 120 mm long by 115 mm wide

Fossil Site: Hennessy Formation, Tillman County, Oklahoma

Code: UKF149

Price: Sold


Trimerorhachis insignisDescription: This is a fine example of a rarely seen amphibian; a temnospondyl known as Trimerorhachis. The genus derives its name from the tripartite Trimerorhachis 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 Edward Drinker Cope's illustration of Trimerorhachis insignis fossilsamphibians in its environment. It had scales and a bony integument of osteoderms much like modern-day crocodylians. This is a fine skull of the interesting amphibian, seen here completely free of entombing matrix. Note there are a number of teeth visible on the reverse, particularly on the right side. I have included a restoration of what it looked like in life, as well as an image of Edward Drinker Cope's illustration of Trimerorhachis insignis fossils.

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Trimerorhachis insignis


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