Order Stegocephalia (Noun)
Meaning
In former classifications a division of class Amphibia comprising all pre-Jurassic and some later extinct large salamandriform amphibia.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Order Stegocephalia is no longer used in modern classifications, but it once included extinct groups such as temnospondyls and lepospondyls.
- Some sources still refer to the Order Stegocephalia as an outdated division of class Amphibia comprising pre-Jurassic amphibians.
- Extinct Stegocephalia order members like the temnospondyls were primarily large salamandriform amphibians.
- During the 19th century, paleontologists grouped pre-Jurassic amphibians into the extinct Order Stegocephalia.
- Some extinct Stegocephalia members, such as the trematosaurus, displayed distinct adaptations in their skull structures.