Microbrachis is an extinct genus of microsaurian tetrapod from the Carboniferous Kladno Formation of the Czech Republic.

Microbrachis
Temporal range: Late Carboniferous
307.1–302 Ma
Fossil of Microbrachis pelikani
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Microsauria
Family: Microbrachidae
Fritsch, 1883
Genus: Microbrachis
Fric, 1875
Type species
Microbrachis pelikani
Fric, 1875

Description

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Life restoration of Microbrachis pelikani

Microbrachis was an elongated, salamander-like creature, about 15 centimetres (6 in) long, with over 40 vertebrae instead of the average 15–26 in its living relatives. It had minute limbs, and probably swam using fish-like lateral body movements. Microbrachis probably fed on fresh water plankton such as shrimp. Microbrachis was pedomorphic, retaining its larval gills in adulthood. Similar traits are found in the extant axolotl.[1]

References

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  1. ^ Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 55. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.

Further reading

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  • Andrew R. Milner, "The Tetrapod Assemblage from Nýrany, Czechoslovakia", in Systematics Association Special Volume No.15, "The Terrestrial Environment and the Origin of Land Vertebrates", ed. by A. L. Panchen, 1980, pp. 439–496, Academic Press, London and New York
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