Doleserpeton

Doleserpeton is an extinct genus of temnospondyl amphibian that lived during the Early Permian period. Its fossils have been found in the United States, primarily in Oklahoma and Texas. Doleserpeton belongs to the family Amphibamidae, a group of small, lizard-like amphibians that were common in freshwater environments.

The genus Doleserpeton is known from several specimens, including both adult and juvenile forms. These amphibians were relatively small, with adults typically measuring around 10-15 centimeters in length. They possessed a slender body, a long tail, and a broad, flattened skull. Their limbs were well-developed, suggesting they were capable of locomotion on land as well as in water. The teeth were small and numerous, indicating a diet of small invertebrates such as insects and crustaceans.

Fossil evidence suggests that Doleserpeton lived in shallow, freshwater habitats, likely swamps and lakes. The presence of well-preserved fossils in fine-grained sedimentary rocks indicates rapid burial, which helped preserve the delicate skeletal structures. The discovery of Doleserpeton has provided valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of early tetrapods during the Permian, a critical period in the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life. Its placement within Amphibamidae highlights the ecological success of these early amphibians in colonizing various freshwater niches.