Ophiderpeton
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Ophiderpeton Temporal range: Early Carboniferous to Early Permian 345.3–294.6 Ma |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Subclass: | Lepospondyli |
| Order: | Aïstopoda |
| Family: | Ophiderpetontidae |
| Genus: | Ophiderpeton |
| Species | |
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O. granulosum |
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O. granulosum
O. amphiuminum
O. nanum
O. vicinum
O. pectinatum
O. zieglerianum
Ophiderpeton is an extinct genus of lepospondyl amphibian from the early Carboniferous to the early Permian. Remains of this genus are widespread and were found in Ohio, United States and the Czech Republic (Central Europe).
An aïstopod, Ophiderpeton was snake-like, without any trace of limbs. Its body was about 70 centimetres (28 in) long, with 230 vertebrae. The skull measured 15 millimetres (0.59 in), and large, forward-facing eyes, suggesting a hunting lifestyle. It probably lived in burrows, feeding on insects, worms, millipedes, and snails.
A large number of species are classified in the genus, and similar animals, Phlegethontia and Sillerpeton, are known. An earlier genus, Lethiscus, is known from the Carboniferous and Early Permian.
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