Diapsids ("two arches") are a clade of sauropsids, distinguished from more primitive eureptiles by the presence of two holes, known as temporal fenestrae, in each side of their skulls. The earliest traditionally identified diapsids, the araeoscelidians, appeared about three hundred million years ago during the late Carboniferous period. [1] All diapsids other than the most primitive ones in ...
Major Diapsid Groups Diapsids are broadly divided into two main lineages: Lepidosaurs and Archosaurs. Lepidosaurs are characterized by features like overlapping keratinous scales and the ability to shed their skin, a process known as ecdysis. Modern examples include lizards, snakes, and tuataras.
All members of the group called the Reptilia (see below), except for the anapsids (turtles and their ilk), and a few extinct groups, are diapsids. The main diagnostic physical character for a diapsid is the presence of two openings on each side of the skull; the upper and lower temporal openings, i.e., the post-orbital fenestrae (right). Even the birds are considered diapsids (and hence ...
Other articles where diapsid is discussed: reptile: Fossil distribution: …of the Mesozoic Era are diapsids. One of the most-recognizable groups of diapsids is the lepidosauromorphs. This lineage, which is ancestral to today’s tuatara and squamates (lizards and snakes), appeared first during the Late Permian. Assorted squamates or squamate relatives began appearing in the Jurassic Period ...
Diapsids (two arches) are a group of amniote tetrapods that developed two holes (temporal fenestra) in each side of their skulls about 300 million years ago during the late Carboniferous period. The diapsids are extremely diverse, and include all crocodiles, lizards, snakes, tuatara, turtles, and