| Ariekanerpeton Temporal range:Early Permian 284 Ma | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Order: | †Seymouriamorpha |
| Family: | †Discosauriscidae |
| Genus: | †Ariekanerpeton Ivakhnenko, 1981 |
| Species | |
A. sigaloviIvakhnenko, 1981 (type) | |
Ariekanerpeton is an extinct genus ofseymouriamorph from the lowerPermian.Fossils have been found fromTajikistan representing over 900 individuals of various stages ofontogenic development.[1] However, it is thought that none of these specimens are of fully mature animals as poor bone ossification is present and the neural arches are paired and disarticulated from the pleurocentra.[2]
Ariekanerpeton is thought to have been more closely related toDiscosauriscus andSeymouria than toUtegenia due to the absence ofgastralia or apostorbital-supratemporal contact. However, it is not a member of thefamilyDiscosauriscidae or the familySeymouriidae. There are no dermal scales present on post-metamorphic specimens as there are onDiscosauriscus.[3]Lateral lines are present in the skulls of larval individuals but are lost soon after metamorphosis. UnlikeUtegenia andDiscosauriscus,Ariekanerpeton is thought to have inhabited relatively arid environments.[4]
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