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216 / Paleozoic
Platyhystrix
Platyhystrix rugosus
A high bony sail towered above the squat body and may have served display, recognition or heat exchange.
- Time range
- About 300–290 million years ago
- Final stage
- Early Permian
- Geographic range
- Seasonal floodplains · Southwestern USA
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Platyhystrix?
Platyhystrix (Platyhystrix rugosus) was an extinct organism known from About 300–290 million years ago, with a range in Seasonal floodplains · Southwestern USA.
Life and ecology
Platyhystrix was a short-legged temnospondyl capable of moving on damp land. Skin probably covered its elongated neural spines, though color and function are unknown.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Platyhystrix disappear?
Increasing aridity and predator turnover reduced lineages tied to wet breeding habitats.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Platyhystrix?
Exceptionally tall, ornamented neural spines occur with skull and limb material; the complete soft sail is inferred.
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?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS