Protoclepsydrops facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ProtoclepsydropsTemporal range: Upper Carboniferous (Middle Pennsylvanian)
|
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| (unranked): | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: |
?Ophiacodontidae
|
| Genus: |
Protoclepsydrops
|
| Species: |
P. haplous
|
| Binomial name | |
| Protoclepsydrops haplous Carroll, 1964
|
|
Protoclepsydrops was an early amniote, a type of animal that lays eggs on land. It lived about 314 million years ago. Scientists found its remains at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs in Canada, which is a World Heritage Site.
The bones of Protoclepsydrops suggest it might have been a synapsid. Synapsids are a group of animals that includes mammals and their ancient relatives. If Protoclepsydrops was indeed a synapsid, it would be the oldest one ever found! However, its bones are very broken, so scientists are not completely sure. Protoclepsydrops lived a little earlier than another definite synapsid called Archaeothyris. Both Protoclepsydrops and Archaeothyris looked a bit like modern lizards.
Contents
Discovering Protoclepsydrops
Scientists found the first parts of Protoclepsydrops in 1964. The discovery happened at the famous Joggins Fossil Cliffs in Nova Scotia, Canada. This area is well-known for its many ancient fossils.
What Is an Amniote?
An amniote is a type of animal that lays eggs with a special membrane. This membrane helps the egg stay safe and moist on land. This was a big step in evolution, allowing animals to live far away from water. Reptiles, birds, and mammals are all amniotes.
What Is a Synapsid?
A synapsid is a group of animals that includes all mammals. Early synapsids were often reptile-like creatures. They are important because they show how mammals slowly evolved over millions of years.
Where Did Protoclepsydrops Live?
The fossils of Protoclepsydrops were found at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs. This place is famous for its many fossils from the Carboniferous period. It's like a window into an ancient forest and swamp.
How Old Is This Fossil?
Scientists have studied the rocks at Joggins Fossil Cliffs very carefully. They now believe Protoclepsydrops lived around 314.5 to 313.4 million years ago. This makes it one of the oldest known animals that might be related to mammals.
Why Is Protoclepsydrops Important?
Protoclepsydrops is important because it could be the oldest synapsid ever found. This means it could be a very early ancestor of mammals, including humans! Even though its remains are incomplete, it helps scientists understand how life on Earth changed over millions of years.
