Diplovertebron punctatum (Fritsch 1879, Waton 1926; DMSW B.65, UMZC T.1222a; Moscovian, Westphalian, Late Carboniferous, 300 mya) aka: Gephyrostegus watsoni Brough and Brough 1967) and Gephyrostegus bohemicus (Carroll 1970; Klembara et al. 2014) after several name changes perhaps this specimen should revert back to its original name as it nests a few nodes away from Gephyrostegus.
Derived from a sister to Eldeceeon, Diplovertebron was basal to the larger Solenodonsaurus and the smaller Brouffia, Casineria and Westlothiana. Diplovertebron was a contemporary of Gephyrostegus bohemicus, Upper Carboniferous (~310 mya), so it, too, was a late survivor.
Overall smaller and distinct from Eldeceeon, the skull of Diplovertebron had a shorter rostrum, larger orbit and greater quadrate lean. The dorsal vertebrae formed a hump and had elongate spines. The hind limbs were much longer than the forelimbs. The tail is incomplete, but appears to have been short and deep.
Seven sphere shapes were preserved alongside this specimen. They may be the most primitive amniote eggs known.
Watson 1926 attempted a freehand reconstruction (see below) that was so different from this specimen that for a time it nested as a separate taxon, now deleted. |
