Dimétrodon

The dimétrodon was a Reptile mammalien with the cranium Synapside which thrived during the time of the Permien between 280 and 265 million years. It was a carnivore with the frayed teeth and a distance ancestor of the mammalian .

Identity

Contrary to what is usually admitted, the dimétrodon is not a Dinosaure. There existed before with their appearance and is rather regarded as a Pélycosaure. It is not a Reptile but indeed an ancestor of the mammalian first .

Physical aspect

  • the dimétrodon measured between 3,3 and 3,5 meters and could weigh up to 250 kilograms.
  • Dimétrodon means " two measurements of dents". Indeed, the dimétrodon had an immense cranium made up of two characteristics of different teeth (teeth of shearing and canine teeth pointed), enabling him to chew its food before introducing it, this making it possible to differentiate it from the reptiles.
The dimétrodon had a large tail however and seemed to move while being dandled from right to left, making vibrate its aerofoil, with the manner of the current lizards.
  • the dimétrodon had an immense dorsal sail, just like the Edaphosaure, which was supported by the spines neurales, each one being fixed on a Vertèbre. This aerofoil enabled him to control its body temperature, by heating or cooling its body according to the way in which the dimétrodon directed it. In 1973, Bramwell and Fellgett calculated that a dimétrodon of 200 kilograms could make pass its body temperature of 26°C to 32°C in 80 minutes thanks to their veil compared with 205 minutes without this one.

Distribution

The dimétrodon lived in what is today the North America and the Europe, where were discovered fossils. During the Permian , these zones were probably arid, climate to which the dimétrodon could easily adapt thanks to its dorsal sail enabling him to control its body temperature effectively.

Lifestyle

Immense the cutaneous “veil” that it had on the back was used him to control its temperature (absorption or evacuation of heat, according to its needs) and undoubtedly had also a role of seduction at the time of the parade in love or intimidation between rivals at the time of the period with coupling. It also seemed to play a part of defense, being used to prevent its congeneric nearest arrival of a predator. The dimétrodon, like his/her parents, was a carnivorous animal of big size and was to continue the others " Pélycosaure s" herbivores.

Fossils

Fossils of dimétrodon were discovered in North America and Europe. One can find off a fossil partial of dimétrodon to the American Museum Natural History of New York.

Cultural elements

  • One finds the dimétrodon in the film adaptation of the Voyage to the center of the ground of Jules Verne, by James Mason.
  • the dimétrodon appears in On the ground of the giants , documentary of BBC.

Simple: Dimetrodon

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