Utegenia shpinari (Kuznetsov and Ivakhnenko 1981, Laurin 1996) Earliest Permian ~300 mya, ~20cm in length was derived from a sister to Seymouria and Kotlassia. Utegenia phylogenetically preceded Doleserpeton and Gerobatrachus in the lineage of frogs, Amphibamus and Adelospondylus in the lineage of caecilians and Pantylus in the lineage of microsaurs. It also phylogenetically preceded the Amniota, and its basalmost taxon, Gephyostegus.
Overall much smaller than Kotlassia, the skull of Utegenia was relatively larger, lower and wider. The interpterygoid space expanded (narrower pterygoid). The parasphenoid and basisphenoid were enlarged.
The cervicals and caudals are not known. The dorsal ribs were wide, producing a flattened torso.
The scapula and coracoid were reduced to two unfused discs. The extremely robust humerus was enlarged proximally, removing any trace of the former L shape. The radius and ulna were more robust. The manus and pes were not documented.
The pelvis was reduced to more or less the size of a femur.
Urumqia was originally associated with Utegenia, but actually Urumqia is a basal lepidosauromorph reptile.
According to the present family tree, the rise of the living amphibians occurs in this lineage beginning with Utegenia followed by Cochleosaurus. This is where living amphibians depart from living reptiles.
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