sphenacodont

Sphenacodont is an extinct genus of sphenacodontid synapsids that lived during the Late Pennsylvanian and Early Permian periods. They were a group of carnivorous, mammalian ancestors that were characterized by a single opening in the skull behind the eye socket, a feature that defines all synapsids. Sphenacodonts are among the most well-known and diverse of the early synapsids, with several species described from North America and Europe.

These animals varied in size, with some species reaching up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length. Their teeth were sharp and pointed, indicating a diet of meat, and their powerful jaws were suited for capturing and tearing prey. Sphenacodonts had sturdy limbs, suggesting they were capable of terrestrial locomotion, likely walking on four legs. Some research indicates a predatory lifestyle, hunting smaller vertebrates and possibly large invertebrates.

The sphenacodonts represent a crucial evolutionary step towards the development of mammals. They possessed features that were intermediate between earlier, more reptilian synapsids and later, more mammal-like forms. Their diversification and eventual extinction paved the way for other groups of synapsids to evolve, ultimately leading to the vast array of mammals that inhabit the Earth today. Fossil discoveries of sphenacodonts have provided significant insights into the early evolution of the synapsid lineage and the transition from reptiles to mammals.