Anthracosaurs

Anthracosaurs are an extinct order of tetrapods that lived during the Carboniferous and Permian periods. They are often referred to as "embolomerous amphibians" due to their embolomerous vertebrae, a distinctive vertebral structure. These creatures were typically semi-aquatic, inhabiting freshwater environments and likely feeding on fish and other small aquatic organisms. Their evolutionary position has been a subject of debate, with some classifications placing them as early reptiles, while others consider them a distinct lineage within the broader amphibian group. Fossil evidence suggests they ranged in size from relatively small to moderately large. Key anatomical features include a long, slender body and a tail adapted for swimming. Anthracosaurs are important for understanding the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life in early tetrapods. Their presence in the fossil record provides clues about the ecological niches occupied by these early land-invading vertebrates. The group eventually went extinct, likely due to environmental changes and competition from other evolving tetrapod groups.