Ophiderpeton

Ophiderpeton (from Greek: ὄφῐς óphis, 'snake' and Greek: ἑρπετόν herpetón 'creeper')[1] is an extinct genus of aistopod tetrapodomorphs from the early Carboniferous to the early Permian. Remains of this genus are widespread and were found in Ohio, United States, Ireland, and the Czech Republic (Central Europe).

Ophiderpeton
Life restoration of O. brownriggi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Sarcopterygii
Clade: Tetrapodomorpha
Order: †Aistopoda
Family: †Ophiderpetontidae
Schwarz, 1908
Genus: †Ophiderpeton
Huxley, 1866
Species
  • †O. granulosum
  • †O. brownriggi
  • †O. kirktonense
  • †O. amphiuminum
  • †O. nanum
  • †O. vicinum
  • †O. pectinatum
  • †O. zieglerianum

Like other aistopods, Ophiderpeton was snake-like, without any trace of limbs. Its body was about 70 centimetres (28 in) long, with 230 vertebrae. The skull measured 15 millimetres (0.59 in), and large, forward-facing eyes, suggesting a hunting lifestyle. It probably lived in burrows, feeding on insects, worms, millipedes, and snails.[2][3]

Many species are classified in the genus, and similar animals, Phlegethontia and Sillerpeton, are known. An earlier genus, Lethiscus, is known from the Carboniferous and Early Permian.

References
  1. Gadow, Hans Friedrich (1898). A classification of vertebrata, recent and extinct. London Adams and C. Black. p. 75. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  2. Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 54. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
  3. Dixon, Dougal (2007). The world encyclopedia of dinosaurs & prehistoric creatures (Hardback ed.). London: Lorenz. p. 69. ISBN 978-0754817307.
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