Proterogyrinus

Proterogyrinus Temporal range: Late Carboniferous
A Proterogyrinus.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Superclass:	Tetrapoda
Superorder:	Reptiliomorpha
Order:	Anthracosauria
Suborder:	Embolomeri
Family:	Proterogyrinidae
Genus:	Proterogyrinus

Proterogyrinus was an anthracosaur, which means that it belongs to a group of advanced amphibians with reptilian characteristics; consequently they are sometimes referred to as reptiliomorphs. It is likely that the first reptiles, such as Petrolacosaurus, evolved from reptilomorph amphibians. Like other reptiliomorphs, such as Seymouria, Proterogyrinus could venture further away from water than most amphibians.

Its name is Greek for "early wanderer" or "earlier tadpole".

General Information

During the Late Carboniferous period (323 - 290 million years ago), the amphibians were an exciting and diverse group of animals that had come to dominate the waterlogged forest world. Proterogyrinus was one of the largest amphibians, and was perfectly adapted for life in the swamps. It was a top predator that hunted both on land and in the water. Its powerful jaws had sharp teeth could handle animals that were quite large, such as fish, reptiles, other amphibians, and large arthropods.

Most Carboniferous amphibians were good swimmers and could move fast through the rivers, lakes, and bogs surrounding the lowland forests, but also could walk on land like some amphibians today. Many species either stayed in the water at all times or could only wriggle through the mud on the banks; few (including Proterogyrinus) ventured further into the forest. Being able to hunt away from the water's edge meant that Proterogyrinus could catch food in places where its rivals could not go. It also meant that it could escape water-borne enemies, such as predatory fish, by clambering on shore, or over the logs and other obstacles that frequently choked the swamps' river channels.

In popular culture

Several Proterogyrinus appeared in Walking with Monsters. They were shown acting like crocodiles; basking on the shorelines and leaping out of the water like modern alligators to catch a Meganeura. In the episode, a lone female fought an Arthropleura and won by knocking the Arthropleura off balance so it fell upside down and impale itself on a bush stump. The Proterogyrinus then ate the Arthropleura's soft insides via its underbelly.

• You can see the Proterogyrinus here [1].

References

• Haines, Tim, and Paul Chambers. The Complete Guide to Prehistoric Life. Pg. 38. Canada: Firefly Books Ltd., 2006