page_title: Dendrerpeton
section_title: Skull and Skeleton
hierarchical_section_title: Dendrerpeton / Description / Skull and Skeleton
caption_attribution_description: English: Specimen of Dendrerpeton acadianum from the Prehistoric Gallery of the Inner Mongolia museum in China
context_page_description: Dendrerpeton is a genus of an extinct group of temnospondyl amphibians. Its fossils have been found primarily in the Joggins Formation and in Ireland. It lived during the Carboniferous and is said to be around 309–316 million years of age, corresponding to more specifically the Westphalian age. Of terrestrial temnospondyl amphibians evolution, it represents the first stage. Although multiple species have been proposed, the species unanimously recognized is D. acadianum. This species name comes from “Acadia” which is the name for ancient Indian Nova Scotia. It refers to the location of the coal field at which the fossil was found.
context_section_description: The length of the skull can range from 84mm to 104mm for midline length. to Through the analysis of the middle ear region of Dendrerpeton acadianum, it could be determined that this taxa has a tympanic ear that is not there as a means of support for the palatoquadrate, but rather the positioning of the stapes indicates that it is used for the movement of sound. This morphology demonstrates Dendrerpeton having a hearing system that mimics that of anurans. This was contrary to what was previously thought, which was that it had a "squamosal embayment" rather than an otic notch. However, an otic notch can now be considered a feature of this taxa. Also present are interpterygoid vacuities, and a pair of palatal tusks within the vomer which lay medially to the internal naris. Palatal tusk pairs can also be found the ectopterygoid and the palatine. As for the lower jaw, if the animal catches prey it is able to get it to the denticulate palate because compression of the mandibles is not lateral along their length. The dentary of the lower jaw was found to be the biggest of all the mandibular parts. There also looked to be approximately 40–50 teeth found on each mandible (both the premaxilla and maxilla), producing marginal teeth. With these teeth Dendrerpeton can both catch its larger prey, and was also found to feed on insects which was determined through examination of fossils and presence of insects in the coal forests. The elements of the skull which are on the surface and exposed have denticles all over. On the dorsal side of the skull and positioned more posteriorly there is a foramen.
caption: Specimen of Dendrerpeton acadianum from the Prehistoric Gallery of the Inner Mongolia Museum in China
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