Urumqia liudaowanensis (Zhang et al. 1984) ~20 cm snout-vent length, Late Permian, was originally considered a discosaurid seymouriamorph. Here it nests at the base of the lepidosauromorph reptiles. Derived from Tulerpeton, Urumqia was basal to Bruketererpeton , Thuringothyris, and all lepdiosaurs, turtles, diadectids, pterosaurs and other various lepidosauromorphs. Phylogenetically Urumqia must have made a first appearance in the Viséan (335 mya, Mississipian, Carboniferous) despite its late appearance in the Late Permian (255 mya).
Distinct from G. bohemicus,
Urumqia had shorter limbs, longer (but not long) posterior dorsal ribs and a robust tail with elongate caudals. The palate included a suborbital fenestra. The cheek may have included a small lateral temporal fenestra convergent with others. The carpals and tarsals were poorly ossified. Notably
the posterior dorsal ribs were much shorter than the gastralia. So the gastralia create a wide posterior torso, ideal for carrying large amniote eggs. |
