Konzhukovia

Konzhukovia
Temporal range: Late Permian, 270–252 Ma
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Amphibia
Order:
Temnospondyli
Family:
Konzhukoviidae
Genus:
Konzhukovia

Gubin, 1991
Species
  • K. vetusta (Konzhukova, 1955) (type is Melosaurus vetustus)
  • K. tarda Gubin, 1991
  • K. sangabrielensis Pacheco et al. 2016

Konzhukovia is an amphibian genus that belongs to an extinct family Konzhukoviidae[1] of temnospondyls, the largest clade of basal tetrapods including about 198 genera, 292 species, and more than half of which were alive during the early Mesozoic period.[2] The animal was a predator that lived about 260 million years ago, and could get up to about three meters in length.[1] Specifically, Konzukovia lived during the Permian, between 252 and 270 million years ago according to the type of rock the fossil was found in.[1] There are three species within this genus, K. vetusta, K. tarda, and K. sangabrielensis, the first two originating from Russia while the latest originating from Southern Brazil.[1] The discovery of this specimen in Southern Brazil provided more evidence to support the idea that during this animals existence, there was a “biological corridor” because of the supercontinent Pangea, allowing these species to be found so far apart from each other. Konzhukovia belongs to the family Archegosauridae, a family consisted of large temnospondyls that most likely compare to modern day crocodiles. Since the discovery of the latest species, K. sangabrielensis, Pacheco proposes that there must be the creation of a new family, Konzhokoviidae, a monophyletic group in a sister-group relationship with Stereospondlyi in order to accommodate the three species.[1] Konzhukovia skulls usually exhibit typical rhinesuchid features including an overall parabolic shape, small orbits located more posteriorly, and the pterygoids do not reach the vomer.[3] These animals were long-snouted amphibians that had clear adaptations made for fish catching,[3] as well as exemplifying aquatic features.[4]

  1. ^ a b c d e Pacheco, Cristian Pereira; Eltink, Estevan; Müller, Rodrigo Temp; Dias-da-Silva, Sérgio (2016). "A new Permian temnospondyl with Russian affinities from South America, the new family Konzhukoviidae, and the phylogenetic status of Archegosauroidea". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 15 (3): 241–256. doi:10.1080/14772019.2016.1164763. S2CID 87860271.
  2. ^ Schoch, Rainer R. (August 2013). "The evolution of major temnospondyl clades: an inclusive phylogenetic analysis". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 11 (6): 673–705. doi:10.1080/14772019.2012.699006. S2CID 83906628.
  3. ^ a b Barberena, M.C. (1998). "On the precense of a shortsnouted Rhinesuchoid amphibian in the Rio do Rastro Formation (Late Permian of Parana Basin, Brazil)". Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências.
  4. ^ Yates, A.M.; Warren, A.A. (2000). "The phylogeny of the 'higher' temnospondyls (Vertebrata: Choanata) and its implications for the monophyly and origins of the Stereospondyli". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 128 (1): 77–121. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2000.tb00650.x.