SynapsidaSynapsida is a diverse group of tetrapod vertebrates that includes all mammals and their extinct relatives. It is one of the two major clades of the group Amniota, the other being the more diverse group Sauropsida (which includes all extant reptiles and birds). Synapsids have a single lower temporal fenestra, an opening low in the skull roof behind each eye socket.
TriassicFirst period of the Mesozoic EraSubdivision of the Triassic according to the ICS, as of 2024.Vertical axis scale: Millions of years agoEtymologyName formalityFormalUsage informationCelestial bodyEarthRegional usageGlobal (ICS)Time scale(s) usedICS Time ScaleDefinitionChronological unitPeriodStratigraphic unitSystemTime span formalityFormalLower boundary definitionFirst appearance of the conodontHindeodus parvusLower boundary GSSPMeishan, Zhejiang, China31°04′47″N119°42′21″E / 31.0798°N 119.7058°E / 31.0798; 119.7058Lower GSSP ratified2001Upper boundary definitionFirst appearance of the ammonitePsiloceras spelae tirolicumUpper boundary GSSPKuhjoch section, Karwendel mountains, Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria47°29′02″N11°31′50″E / 47.4839°N 11.5306°E / 47.4839; 11.5306Upper GSSP ratified2010The Triassic ( ) is a geologic period and a stratigraphic system that spans 50.5 million years from the end of the Permian Period 251.902 Ma (million years ago) to the beginning of the Jurassic Period 201.4 Ma.
Permian–Triassic extinction eventEarth's most severe extinction eventMarine extinction intensity during Phanerozoic%Millions of years ago(H)K–PgTr–JP–TrCapLate DO–SPlot of extinction intensity (percentage of marine genera that are present in each interval of time but do not exist in the following interval) vs time in the past. Geological periods are annotated (by abbreviation and colour) above.
TherapsidaTherapsida is a major group of eupelycosaurian synapsids. It includes mammals, as well as their ancestors and close relatives. Many defining traits of modern mammals had their origins within early therapsids. Changes in skeletal structure brought their limbs underneath their body mass which resulted in a more "standing" quadrupedal posture, as opposed to the lower sprawling posture of many reptiles and amphibians.
Late TriassicThe Late Triassic is the third and final epoch of the Triassic Period in the geologic time scale, spanning the time between 237 Ma and 201.4 Ma (million years ago). It is preceded by the Middle Triassic Epoch and succeeded by the Early Jurassic Epoch. The corresponding series of rock beds is known as the Upper Triassic. The Late Triassic is divided into the Carnian, Norian and Rhaetian ages.
PermianSixth and last period of the Paleozoic EraSubdivision of the Permian according to the ICS, as of 2023.Vertical axis scale: Millions of years agoEtymologyName formalityFormalUsage informationRegional usageGlobal (ICS)Time scale(s) usedICS Time ScaleDefinitionChronological unitPeriodStratigraphic unitSystemTime span formalityFormalLower boundary definitionFAD of the ConodontStreptognathodus isolatus within the morphotypeStreptognathodus wabaunsensis chronocline.Lower boundary GSSPAidaralash, Ural Mountains, Kazakhstan50°14′45″N57°53′29″E / 50.2458°N 57.8914°E / 50.2458; 57.8914Lower GSSP ratified1996Upper boundary definitionFAD of the Conodont Hindeodus parvus.Upper boundary GSSPMeishan, Zhejiang, China31°04′47″N119°42′21″E / 31.0798°N 119.7058°E / 31.0798; 119.7058Upper GSSP ratified2001The Permian ( ) is a geologic period and stratigraphic system which spans 47 million years, from the end of the Carboniferous Period 298.9 Ma (million years ago) to the beginning of the Triassic Period 251.902 Ma.
HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically or physiologically evolved to feed on plants, especially upon vascular tissues such as foliage, fruits or seeds, as the main component of its diet. These more broadly also encompass animals that eat non-vascular autotrophs such as mosses, algae and lichens, but do not include those feeding on decomposed plant matters (i.e. detritivores) or macrofungi (i.e. fungivores).
GuadalupianThe Guadalupian is the second and middle series/epoch of the Permian. The Guadalupian was preceded by the Cisuralian and followed by the Lopingian. It is named after the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico and Texas, and dates between 274.4 ± 0.4 – 259.51 ± 0.21 Mya. The series saw the rise of the therapsids, a minor extinction event called Olson's Extinction and a significant mass extinction called the end-Capitanian extinction event.
FossorialA fossorial animal (from Latin fossor 'digger') is one that is adapted to digging and which lives primarily (but not solely) underground. Examples of fossorial vertebrates are moles, badgers, naked mole-rats, meerkats, armadillos, wombats, and mole salamanders. Among invertebrates, many molluscs (e.g., clams), insects (e.g., beetles, wasps, bees), and arachnids (e.g. spiders) are fossorial.
AnomodontiaAnomodontia is an extinct group of non-mammalian therapsids from the Permian and Triassic periods. By far the most speciose group are the dicynodonts, a clade of beaked, tusked herbivores. Anomodonts were very diverse during the Middle Permian, including primitive forms like Anomocephalus and Patranomodon and groups like Venyukovioidea and Dromasauria, with the tree-climbing (arboreal) Suminia being known from the Late Permian.
CladeIn biology, a clade (/kleɪd/) (from Ancient Greek κλάδος (kládos) 'branch'), also known as a monophyletic group or natural group, is a group of organisms that is composed of a common ancestor and all of its descendants. Clades are the fundamental unit of cladistics, a modern approach to taxonomy adopted by most biological fields. The common ancestor may be an individual, a population, or a species (extinct or extant).
GenusGenus (; pl.: genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family as used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In binomial nomenclature, the genus name forms the first part of the binomial species name for each species within the genus. E.g. Panthera leo (lion) and Panthera onca (jaguar) are two species within the genus Panthera. Panthera is a genus within the family Felidae.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.