Peltobatrachus
{{Short description|Extinct genus of temnospondyls}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| fossil_range = Late Permian, {{fossilrange|260.4|251.9}}
| image = Peltobatrachus_BW.jpg
| image_caption = Peltobatrachus pustulatus
| taxon = Peltobatrachus
}}{{Distinguish|Pelobatrachus}}
Peltobatrachus (from Greek pelte, meaning shield and batrakhos, meaning frog) is an extinct genus of temnospondyl amphibian from the late Permian period of Tanzania. The sole species, Peltobatrachus pustulatus, is also the sole member of the family Peltobatrachidae.
Description
Peltobatrachus was a large, slow moving animal, up to {{convert|70|cm|ft}} in length. To protect itself against predators such as the large gorgonopsid therapsids, it had developed an armadillo-like armored plating covering its body and tail. The armor consisted of broad plates on the shoulders and hips and narrower plates on the rest of the body.
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- {{Cite journal | last1 = Ruta | first1 = Marcello | last2 = Pisani | first2 = Davide | last3 = Lloyd | first3 = Graeme T | last4 = Benton | first4 = Michael J | authorlink4 = Michael Benton| title = A supertree of Temnospondyli: Cladogenetic patterns in the most species-rich group of early tetrapods | doi = 10.1098/rspb.2007.1250 | journal = Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences | volume = 274 | issue = 1629 | pages = 3087–3095 | year = 2007 | pmid = 17925278| pmc = 2293949}}
{{Stereospondyli|S.}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2603367}}
Category:Permian temnospondyls