Megalocephalus

Megalocephalus; Temporal range: Late Carboniferous
	Skull
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Family:	†Baphetidae
Subfamily:	†Loxommatinae
Genus:	†Megalocephalus; Barkas, 1873
Type species
	†Megalocephalus pachycephalus; Barkas, 1873
Species
	†Megalocephalus pachycephalus Barkas, 1873; †Megalocephalus lineolatus Cope, 1877;
Synonyms
	†Anisodexis Cope, 1882;

Megalocephalus (meaning "big head") is an extinct genus of baphetid amphibian from the late Carboniferous of the British Isles.^[3] It contains two species, M. pachycephalus and M. lineolatus.^[2]

Description[]

Restoration

Megalocephalus was an amphibian, measuring 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) from head to tail.^[3]

Skull[]

It is only known from its skull, like most other baphetids. The skull of Megalocephalus was 30 centimetres (12 in) long. The teeth of Megalocephalus were long and pointed. Baphetids had a small elongation of their eye sockets, the current use of which is not certain. It has been suggested that the elongation was housing for a salt gland to get rid of excess salt, or an extra region for jaw muscle attachments, to allow a harder bite force.^[3]

References[]

^ "Megalocephalus Fossil from Maoming, Guangdong, China". www.artsourceasia.com. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
^ ^a ^b "Confirmation of Romer's Gap as a low oxygen interval constraining the timing of initial arthropod and vertebrate terrestrialization". Ward et al. National Academy of Sciences. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
^ ^a ^b ^c Benson, R.; Anderson, J.; Brusatte, S.; Clack, J.; Dennis-Bryan, K.; Duffin, C.; Hone, D.; Naish, D.; Xu, X.; Prothero, D.; Parsons, K.; Milner, A.; Johanson, Z. (2012). Prehistoric Life. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-7566-9910-9.

External links[]

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[M._Fossil-1] "Megalocephalus Fossil from Maoming, Guangdong, China". www.artsourceasia.com. Retrieved 2008-08-15.

[Supporting_Appendix-2] "Confirmation of Romer's Gap as a low oxygen interval constraining the timing of initial arthropod and vertebrate terrestrialization". Ward et al. National Academy of Sciences. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-15.

[benson2012-3] Benson, R.; Anderson, J.; Brusatte, S.; Clack, J.; Dennis-Bryan, K.; Duffin, C.; Hone, D.; Naish, D.; Xu, X.; Prothero, D.; Parsons, K.; Milner, A.; Johanson, Z. (2012). Prehistoric Life. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-7566-9910-9.

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