Edaphosauridae

Taxobox
name = Edaphosauridae
fossil_range = Latest Pennsylvanian - Early Permian

---

image_caption = "Edaphosaurus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Synapsida
ordo = Pelycosauria
familia = Edaphosauridae
familia_authority = Cope, 1882
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision =
* "Edaphosaurus"
* "Ianthasaurus"
* "Glaucosaurus"

The Edaphosauridae are a family of mostly large (up to 3 meters or more) advanced, Late Pennsylvanian to early Permian pelycosaurs.

They were the earliest known herbivorous amniotes, and along with the Diadectidae the earliest known herbivorous tetrapods. The head is small in relation to the bulky body, and there is a tall sail along the back, which may have functioned as a thermoregulatory device. The advanced genus "Edaphosaurus" was unique in that its "sail" possessed short bony cross bars.

Edaphosaur fossils are so far known only from North America and Europe.

References

* Carroll, R. L. (1988), "Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution", WH Freeman & Co.
* Reisz, R. R., 1986, "Handbuch der Paläoherpetologie – Encyclopedia of Paleoherpetology, Part 17A Pelycosauria" Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, ISBN 3-89937-032-5

External links

* [http://www.palaeos.com/Vertebrates/Units/Unit390/390.300.html#Edaphosauridae Edaphosauridae]