Araeoscelis gracilis (Williston 1910; Reisz, Berman and Scott 1984) ~275 mya, Early Permian, 60 cm long, was an early diapsid with closure of the lateral temporal fenestra. Derived from a sister to Petrolacosaurus Araeoscelis left no known descendants. The trend toward closure of the temporal fenestrae in early diapsids is also seen in Mesosaurus and Stereosternum.

Distinct from Petrolacosaurus, the skull of Araeoscelis had a slightly longer rostrum and more robust teeth. An advancing squamosal filled in the lateral temporal fenestra.

The cervicals were slightly more elongated. The torso was deeper and the tail was more gracile.

The robust pectoral girdle was much larger than the pelvis. Metatarsals II-IV aligned with p1.1.

The family tree of the Enaliosauria is here. The complete reptile family tree is here.

Galesphyrus capensis (Carroll 1976) was originally considered a primitive eosuchian reptile close to Youngina. Here Galesphyrus is considered close to Araeoscelis. The hourglass-shaped proximal carpal is a shared trait. Galesphyrus had more robust limbs and relatively larger feet.

Carroll RL 1976. Galesphyrus capensis, a younginid eosuchian from South Africa. Annals of the South African Museum 72(4):59-68.

Reisz RR, Berman DS and Scott D 1984. The anatomy and relationships of the lower Permian reptile Araeoscelis. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 4: 57-67.

Vaughn PP 1955. The Permian reptile Araeoscelis re-studied. Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology, Bulletin 113:305-467.

Williston SW 1910. New Permian reptiles; rhachitomous vertebrae. Journal of Geology 18:585-600.

Williston SW 1913. The skulls of Araeoscelis and Casea, Permian reptiles. Journal of Geology 21:743-747.

wiki/Araeoscelis