Araeoscelis

A-ray-oh-scel-is.
Published on

Benjamin Gutierrez

Vertebrate Paleontologist

Benjamin Gutierrez is a leading expert on dinosaurs, particularly the mighty theropods. His fieldwork in South America has uncovered new species and provided insights into dinosaur social structures.

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Name

Araeoscelis (Thin legs).

Phonetic

A-ray-oh-scel-is.

Named By

Classification

Chordata, Reptilia, Diapsida, Araeoscelida.

Diet

Insectivore.

Species

A. gracilis, A. casei

Size

60 centimetres long.

Known locations

USA, Texas - Arroyo Formation, Nocona Formation, Waggoner Ranch Formation..

Time Period

Artinskian of the Permian.

Fossil representation

Well enough preserved to allow for reconstruction.

In Depth

       Araeoscelis is another representative of the early diapsids. The teeth of Araeoscelis were quite large and blunter than its contemporary Petrolacosaurus, suggesting that it specialised in insects with tougher bodies.

       Although officially considered a diapsid with two fenestrae behind the eye socket, the lower fensetra was closed with bone, meaning that Araeoscelis could be considered a euryapsid. This adaptation may have allowed for stronger jaw muscles to help bite through the aforementioned insect bodies.

       The overall morphology of Araeoscelis is similar to a lightweight modern day lizard.

Further Reading

– New Permian reptiles; rhachitomous vertebrae. – Journal of Geology 18:585-600. – S. W. Williston – 1910.

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