Ancient amphibian catalogue A to Z
Fossil frogs, gilled lake dwellers and large aquatic predators
The collection includes Devonian and Carboniferous early tetrapods, Mesozoic amphibians and Cenozoic forms.
Cards distinguish modern frogs from temnospondyls and separate preserved skulls and gill structures from restored soft anatomy.
A
AAcheloma
Acheloma cryptatheria
Early Permian trematopid known from skulls in Texas and Oklahoma, including a CT-studied species from Richards Spur.
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AAlbanerpeton
Albanerpeton inexpectatum
Small albanerpetontid known chiefly from diagnostic jaws and skull-roof bones across Cretaceous and Cenozoic sites.
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AAmphibamus
Amphibamus grandiceps
Small Pennsylvanian temnospondyl from Illinois, distinguished from the recently named Jeanerpeton at Mazon Creek.
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AAnaschisma
Anaschisma browni
Late Triassic metoposaurid revised from Wyoming type fossils and material assigned from Pennsylvania.
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AAngusaurus
Angusaurus tsylmensis
Early Triassic Russian trematosaur known chiefly from skull fossils, including a CT-studied referred specimen.
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AAnoualerpeton
Anoualerpeton priscus; A. unicus
A small albanerpetontid known from diagnostic jaw and skull bones in England and Morocco.
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AApachesaurus
Apachesaurus gregorii
Late Triassic metoposaurid from the American Southwest, with juvenile fossils and a putative adult under study.
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AAphaneramma
Aphaneramma
A long-snouted Early Triassic trematosaurid adapted to coastal and brackish waters after the end-Permian extinction.
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AAralobatrachus
Aralobatrachus robustus
Cretaceous Uzbek frog known from a type jaw and additional isolated bones of uncertain association.
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AArchegosaurus
Archegosaurus decheni
Lower Permian aquatic temnospondyl from Germany with a well-sampled skull growth series.
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AAspidosaurus
Aspidosaurus chiton
Early Permian Texas dissorophid with a neotype skeleton and a median row of keeled osteoderms.
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BBatrachichnus
Batrachichnus salamandroides
Paleozoic tetrapod trackway ichnogenus; the exact trackmaker remains uncertain.
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BBatrachosauroides
Batrachosauroides dissimulans
Cenozoic North American salamander genus known chiefly from a lost type skull and isolated vertebrae.
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BBatrachosuchoides
Batrachosuchoides lacer
Fragmentary Early Triassic temnospondyl known from an incomplete Russian skull and comparative Polish material.
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BBatrachosuchus
Batrachosuchus browni; questioned B. watsoni and B. concordi assignments
A Triassic brachyopoid temnospondyl known chiefly from skulls, with debated species boundaries.
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BBeelzebufo
Beelzebufo ampinga
A large Late Cretaceous Madagascan frog with a reinforced skull, teeth and bony plates in the skin.
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BBeiyanerpeton
Beiyanerpeton jianpingensis
Late Jurassic Chinese salamander known from articulated skeletons with bony gill structures.
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BBenthosuchus
Benthosuchus sushkini
A large Early Triassic aquatic temnospondyl from Russia, known from numerous long flat skulls and jaws.
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BBranchierpeton
Branchierpeton spp.
Small micromelerpetid temnospondyl known from European and Moroccan fossils, including external-gill impressions.
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BBranchiosaurus
Branchiosaurus amblystomus
A small Early Permian temnospondyl whose lake fossils document gills, growth and retention of juvenile features.
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BBroiliellus
Broiliellus brevis
An Early Permian dissorophid genus known from Texas and New Mexico, including skulls, partial skeletons and dorsal osteoderms.
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BBroomistega
Broomistega putterilli
Early Triassic South African rhinesuchid preserved beside Thrinaxodon in a burrow, with healed rib fractures.
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CCacops
Cacops aspidephorus
Small Early Permian dissorophid with a reinforced dorsal skeleton and three named species from Texas and Oklahoma.
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CCeltedens
Celtedens ibericus
European albanerpetontid known from rare articulated Early Cretaceous skeletons at Las Hoyas.
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CChelotriton
Chelotriton paradoxus
Hyperossified European salamandrid known from articulated fossils at Enspel and Randeck maar lakes.
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CChenoprosopus
Chenoprosopus milleri
An early Permian edopoid known from incomplete skulls and a rare bone histology sample.
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CChomatobatrachus
Chomatobatrachus halei
A Tasmanian Early Triassic temnospondyl known from skulls, jaws and growth-related palatal differences.
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CChunerpeton
Chunerpeton tianyiense
Jurassic stem salamander from China, known from articulated skeletons and preserved external gills.
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CCochleosaurus
Cochleosaurus bohemicus; C. florensis
A Carboniferous temnospondyl with Czech growth series and Canadian skulls.
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CCyclotosaurus
Cyclotosaurus robustus
Late Triassic capitosauroid temnospondyl with a closed otic opening and several distinct skull morphologies.
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CCzatkobatrachus
Czatkobatrachus polonicus
Early Triassic stem salientian from Poland, known from a small sample of separate pelvic, vertebral and limb bones.
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DDeltasaurus
Deltasaurus kimberleyensis
Early Triassic Western Australian rhytidosteid known from partial skulls, jaws and two named species.
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DDendrerpeton
Dendrerpeton acadianum
Pennsylvanian temnospondyl from Joggins, known from tree-stump finds and a rare articulated skeleton.
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DDiplocaulus
Diplocaulus magnicornis
A Permian lepospondyl known for a broad skull whose lateral projections changed during growth.
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DDiploceraspis
Diploceraspis burkei
Permian nectridean known for its boomerang-shaped skull; the function of its lateral extensions remains uncertain.
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DDiplovertebron
Diplovertebron punctatum
Fragmentary Late Carboniferous tetrapod from Nýřany, known from lectotype M 522 and incomplete remains.
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DDissorophus
Dissorophus multicinctus
Early Permian Texas temnospondyl with a distinctive layered arrangement of dorsal armor.
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DDoleserpeton
Doleserpeton annectens
Small Early Permian tetrapod from Richards Spur, important to debates about the origins of living amphibians.
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DDvinosaurus
Dvinosaurus campbelli
Russian Permian temnospondyl known from skulls, branchial bones and histological evidence of growth.
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EEdops
Edops craigi
Early Permian Texas temnospondyl known chiefly from a broad skull and jaws.
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EEocaecilia
Eocaecilia micropodia
Early Jurassic stem caecilian from Arizona with a specialized skull and four greatly reduced limbs.
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EEocyclotosaurus
Eocyclotosaurus wellesi
Middle Triassic Arizona temnospondyl known from a well-preserved skull in the Moenkopi Formation.
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EEodiscoglossus
Eodiscoglossus santonjae
Tiny Early Cretaceous frog from northeastern Spain, known from one articulated but poorly preserved skeleton.
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EEopelobates
Eopelobates spp.
Extinct pelobatid frog genus with Cenozoic fossils in North America and Europe.
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EEoscapherpeton
Eoscapherpeton asiaticum
A Late Cretaceous salamander known from skull CT, growth series and healed injuries.
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EEryops
Eryops megacephalus
Large Early Permian temnospondyl known from skulls, vertebrae, limb bones and a heavily built body plan.
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EEryosuchus
Eryosuchus tverdochlebovi
Middle Triassic Russian capitosaur known from fragmentary skulls and jaw material.
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FFedexia
Fedexia striegeli
Late Pennsylvanian Pennsylvania trematopid known from one three-dimensional skull and associated jaws.
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FFerganobatrachus
Ferganobatrachus riabinini
A Middle Jurassic temnospondyl from Kyrgyzstan, represented by an isolated clavicle, skull bones and vertebral hypocentra.
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GGerobatrachus
Gerobatrachus hottoni
Early Permian Texas dissorophoid known from a largely articulated skeleton with a distinctive character mosaic.
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GGerrothorax
Gerrothorax pulcherrimus
A flattened aquatic Triassic temnospondyl with a bony gill apparatus and a suction-feeding skull.
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GGlanochthon
Glanochthon latirostre; G. angusta; G. lellbachae
Early Permian temnospondyls known from skeletons, a skin impression and evidence of fish prey.
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GGobiates
Gobiates spp.
Cretaceous Central Asian frog genus known from sculptured skulls and a rare associated postcranial skeleton.
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HHabrosaurus
Habrosaurus spp.
Cretaceous–Paleocene sirenid genus known chiefly from skulls, teeth and vertebrae in western North America.
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HHensonbatrachus
Hensonbatrachus kermiti
Campanian frog known from diagnostic isolated skull and pelvic bones in Alberta and Montana.
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IIchthyostega
Ichthyostega stensioei
A Late Devonian stem tetrapod with seven hind-foot digits, a finned tail and joints unsuited to an ordinary walking gait.
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IIsodectes
Isodectes obtusus
Early Permian Texas dvinosaurian temnospondyl revised from skull-bearing specimens.
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JJeholotriton
Jeholotriton paradoxus
Chinese fossil salamander known from articulated skeletons and a debated Yixian–Daohugou age history.
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KKaraurus
Karaurus sharovi
Jurassic Kazakhstan stem salamander known from an unusually complete articulated skeleton.
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KKestrosaurus
Kestrosaurus dreyeri; K. kitchingi
An Early Triassic capitosaurid whose type skull required a careful re-evaluation.
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KKokartus
Kokartus honorarius
Bathonian Kyrgyzstan stem salamander studied through CT skull anatomy and long-bone histology.
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KKonzhukovia
Konzhukovia vetusta; K. tarda; proposed K. sangabrielensis
A Permian temnospondyl known from Ural skulls and a debated Brazilian referral.
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KKoolasuchus
Koolasuchus cleelandi
Early Cretaceous chigutisaurid from Victoria, Australia, known from diagnostic jaw fragments and scattered skeletal bones.
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KKuruleufenia
Kuruleufenia xenopoides
A Patagonian Cretaceous pipid known from a braincase and additional scattered bones.
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LLatonia
Latonia nigriventer
Fossil frog genus with a wide Cenozoic range and one living species in the Hula Valley.
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LLiaoxitriton
Liaoxitriton zhongjiani
Early Cretaceous salamander from Liaoning represented by a broad slab-preserved sample.
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LLisserpeton
Lisserpeton bairdi
Western North American fossil salamander known chiefly from isolated vertebrae and jaw bones.
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LLydekkerina
Lydekkerina huxleyi
Lower Triassic South African stereospondyl known from diagnostic skulls and rare postcranial remains.
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LLyrocephaliscus
Lyrocephaliscus euri
An Early Triassic trematosaur from Spitsbergen, known from skulls and associated skeletal fragments.
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MMarmorerpeton
Marmorerpeton wakei
Middle Jurassic stem salamander with fragmentary English species and more complete three-dimensional fossils from Skye.
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MMastodonsaurus
Mastodonsaurus giganteus
Middle Triassic capitosaur with a broad flat skull, paired lower-jaw tusks and a body length reconstructed from incomplete skeletons.
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MMegalotriton
Megalotriton filholi; status of M. portisi requires review
A Quercy fossil salamander represented by disarticulated vertebrae and limb bones rather than a complete skeleton.
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MMelanerpeton
Melanerpeton tenerum
European branchiosaurid temnospondyl notable for a fossil skin impression preserving a spotted pattern.
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MMelosaurus
Melosaurus uralensis
Large Permian temnospondyl from Russia with a flattened skull, palatal tusks and a debated species-level family tree.
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MMetoposaurus
Metoposaurus diagnosticus
Late Triassic metoposaurid with a broad flat skull, forward-set eyes and preserved lateral-line canals; several European species are recognised.
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MMicrobrachis
Microbrachis pelikani
Late Carboniferous Nýřany tetrapod studied from a large growth sample with lateral-line and tail-regeneration evidence.
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MMicropholis
Micropholis stowi
Small Early Triassic amphibamiform known from Karoo skeletons, bone histology and Antarctic material.
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MMioproteus
Mioproteus spp.
European fossil proteid salamanders represented chiefly by isolated vertebrae and jaws.
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NNigerpeton
Nigerpeton ricqlesi
A late Permian temnospondyl from Niger known from two partial skulls with a distinctive long snout and fang arrangement.
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NNotobatrachus
Notobatrachus degiustoi
Middle Jurassic Patagonian frog known from a rich skeletal sample and the oldest documented tadpole.
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OOnchiodon
Onchiodon labyrinthicus
European eryopoid temnospondyl known from growth stages that inform a proposed shift in habitat use.
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OOphiderpeton
Ophiderpeton kirktonense
Rare Scottish Carboniferous aïstopod known from fragmentary remains and a revised East Kirkton age.
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OOpisthotriton
Opisthotriton kayi
Western North American batrachosauroidid salamander known chiefly from isolated bones.
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PPalaeobatrachus
Palaeobatrachus spp.
European aquatic frog genus with eighteen recognised species and fossil growth series.
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PParalatonia
Paralatonia transylvanica
Small Maastrichtian frog from the Hațeg Basin known from dissociated microvertebrate remains.
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PParanecturus
Paranecturus garbanii
Maastrichtian proteid salamander from Montana known from an atlas and other isolated vertebrae.
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PParioxys
Parioxys ferricolus
An Early Permian Texas temnospondyl whose redescription clarified skull growth and eucacopine affinities.
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PParotosuchus
Parotosuchus nasutus
Early Triassic capitosaur best documented by skulls from Merkel’s Quarry near Bernburg, Germany.
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PPhlegethontia
Phlegethontia spp.
Limbless Paleozoic aïstopod with a long vertebral column and a fenestrated, internally robust skull.
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PPiceoerpeton
Piceoerpeton spp.
Western North American fossil salamander genus represented by two species and mostly isolated vertebrae.
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PPlagioscutum
Plagioscutum spp.
Fragmentary Middle Triassic plagiosaurid genus reported from Russia and Kazakhstan.
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PPlagiosternum
Plagiosternum granulosum
Broad-skulled Middle Triassic plagiosaurid temnospondyl recorded at multiple German localities.
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PPlagiosuchus
Plagiosuchus pustuliferus
A Middle Triassic temnospondyl with enlarged skull openings and an inferred suction-feeding system.
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PPlatyhystrix
Platyhystrix rugosus
Small dissorophid temnospondyl known for tall back plates made from joined vertebral and dermal bone.
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PPlatyoposaurus
Platyoposaurus stuckenbergi
Middle Permian archegosaurid with a long narrow skull, partial skeletons and bone-growth evidence from eastern Europe.
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PPliobatrachus
Pliobatrachus langhae
A palaeobatrachid frog known from fossils spanning the Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene in Central and Eastern Europe.
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PPrionosuchus
Prionosuchus plummeri
Brazilian Permian archegosaurid with a long narrow snout and a body length extrapolated from incomplete remains.
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PProdesmodon
Prodesmodon copei
Fragmentary North American batrachosauroidid salamander distinguished chiefly by its lower jaw.
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PProsalirus
Prosalirus bitis
Early Jurassic frog from Arizona whose pelvis and hind limbs record early saltatory anatomy.
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PProsiren
Prosiren elinorae
An Early Cretaceous Texas salamander known from dorsal vertebrae, with later misassigned jaws separated as Albanerpeton.
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QQinglongtriton
Qinglongtriton gangouensis
Late Jurassic Chinese salamander represented by a growth series and CT-studied skulls.
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RRhinesuchus
Rhinesuchus whaitsi
Late Permian South African temnospondyl revised as part of the early-diverging Rhinesuchidae.
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SScapherpeton
Scapherpeton tectum
Fragmentary North American fossil salamander documented mainly by isolated vertebrae.
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SSclerocephalus
Sclerocephalus haeuseri
Permian German temnospondyl known from a growth series and a rediscovered original type skull.
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SSclerothorax
Sclerothorax hypselonotus
Early Triassic German temnospondyl distinguished by tall trunk neural spines and a broad skull.
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SScotiophryne
Scotiophryne
Late Cretaceous North American fossil frog known from an isolated ilium and referred sculptured skull bones.
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SSeminobatrachus
Seminobatrachus boltyschkensis
A small Ukrainian fossil frog represented by fourteen skeletons and debated neotenic traits.
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SSiderops
Siderops kehli
Large Early Jurassic Australian temnospondyl represented by an articulated skull and much of the skeleton.
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SStanocephalosaurus
Stanocephalosaurus amenasensis
A Triassic Algerian capitosauroid known from well-preserved skulls, including one examined with micro-CT.
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SSyrtosuchus
Syrtosuchus samarensis; S. morkovini
Early Triassic Volga-region benthosuchid known chiefly from incomplete skulls.
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TThaumastosaurus
Thaumastosaurus bottii and related species
Eocene European frog with a sculptured skull and an inferred close relationship to African pyxicephalids.
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TTheatonius
Theatonius lancensis
A tiny Late Cretaceous frog known from isolated, toothless skull bones; its family-level placement remains uncertain.
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TThoosuchus
Thoosuchus yakovlevi
Early Triassic Russian temnospondyl known chiefly from compact skulls and aquatic sensory grooves.
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TTrematosaurus
Trematosaurus brauni
Early Triassic German trematosaurid known from a large cranial sample and natural casts.
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TTriadobatrachus
Triadobatrachus massinoti
Early Triassic Madagascar stem frog known from one partial skeleton with a long bony tail.
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TTriassurus
Triassurus sixtelae
Triassic Kyrgyzstan stem salamander known from two larval skeletons in the Madygen Formation.
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TTrimerorhachis
Trimerorhachis insignis and related species
Early Permian aquatic temnospondyl from Texas and New Mexico known from abundant cranial and branchial material.
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TTupilakosaurus
Tupilakosaurus wetlugensis and T. heilmani
Early Triassic dvinosaur from Russia and Greenland, recognised by its skull and paired vertebral centra.
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VVieraella
Vieraella herbstii
Early Jurassic Patagonian frog known from complementary impressions of one partial skeleton.
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WWatsonisuchus
Watsonisuchus magnus
Early Triassic South African temnospondyl anchored by a fragmentary skull and jaw type specimen.
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WWestlothiana
Westlothiana lizziae
Small East Kirkton tetrapod with a nearly complete skeleton and a disputed position near the origin of amniotes.
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WWetlugasaurus
Wetlugasaurus
An Early Triassic river predator from eastern Europe with a broad flattened skull and conical teeth.
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XXenotosuchus
Xenotosuchus africanus
A South African Triassic temnospondyl known from skulls that reveal growth-related changes.
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ZZatrachys
Zatrachys serratus
Early Permian temnospondyl recognised by a broad skull, rear projections and a large opening between the nostrils.
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