Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
443 / Paleozoic
Diploceraspis
Diploceraspis burkei
Paired backward horns widened the skull of this small diplocaulid.
View original image · 1600 × 1067- Time range
- About 299–280 million years ago
- Final stage
- Early Permian
- Geographic range
- Freshwater ponds · North America
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Diploceraspis?
Diploceraspis (Diploceraspis burkei) was an extinct organism known from About 299–280 million years ago, with a range in Freshwater ponds · North America.
Life and ecology
It swam near pond bottoms and ate fish and aquatic invertebrates; the horns may have affected lift or defense.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Diploceraspis disappear?
Early Permian freshwater turnover is possible context; the fossil record does not establish a specific cause.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Diploceraspis?
Skulls and skeletons preserve horn extensions and tail proportions.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Rewrote an extinction cause that presented environmental or faunal turnover as established; it is now given as context the record does not prove.
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS