''Hapsidopareion'' is an extinct
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
microsaur
Microsauria ("small lizards") is an extinct, possibly polyphyletic order of tetrapods from the late Carboniferous and early Permian periods. It is the most diverse and species-rich group of lepospondyls. Recently, Microsauria has been considere ...
belonging to the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Hapsidopareiidae
Hapsidopareiontidae is an extinct family of tuditanomorph microsaurs. Hapsidopareiontids are known from the Early Permian of the United States and possibly Germany and the Czech Republic.
Hapsidopareiontids are characterized by a large tempora ...
. Fossils have been found in the early Permian of Oklahoma.
History of study
''Hapsidopareion'' was named in 1973 by American paleontologist Eleanor Daly based on material collected from the early Permian South Grandfield locality in southwestern Oklahoma.
The genus name is given for the Greek ''hapsido''- ('arch') and -''pareion'' ('cheek'). The species name, ''H. lepton'', is given for the slightness of the animal. The taxon is known from several partial to complete skulls and possibly by some isolated postcranial material.
Anatomy
''Hapsidopareion'' was originally differentiated from other microsaurs by the large temporal emargination, which produced other variable morphology of the circum-emargination bones (e.g., postorbital). It is similar to the more recently described ''
Llistrofus pricei'' in this regard, but can be differentiated from ''L. pricei'' by features such as the absence of a quadratojugal and a frontal excluded from the orbit.
Because all specimens of ''H. lepton'' are notably smaller than those of ''L. pricei'', and a number of anatomical differences are likely ontogenetically variable (e.g., contact between neural arch and centrum), it has been considered that the former maybe represent a juvenile of the latter, but recent workers have maintained the separation of these taxa.
Relationships
''Hapsidopareion'' is the sister taxon to ''Llistrofus pricei''. Collectively, this group forms the Hapsidopareiidae (traditionally called the 'Hapsidopareiontidae') and is recognized by the greatly enlarged temporal emargination.
See also
*
Prehistoric amphibian
This list of prehistoric amphibians is an attempt to create a comprehensive listing of all Genus, genera from the fossil record that have ever been considered to be amphibians, excluding purely vernacular terms. The list includes all commonly accep ...
*
List of prehistoric amphibians
This list of prehistoric amphibians is an attempt to create a comprehensive listing of all genera from the fossil record that have ever been considered to be amphibians, excluding purely vernacular terms. The list includes all commonly accepted g ...
References
Microsauria
{{Lepospondyli-stub