Euryapsida

Article summary

__NOTOC__ Euryapsida is a polyphyletic (unnatural, as the various members are not closely related) group of sauropsids that are distinguished by a single temporal fenestra, an opening behind the orbit, under which the post-orbital and squamosal bones articulate. They are different from Synapsida, which also have a single opening behind the orbit, by the placement of the fenestra. In synapsids, this opening is below the articulation of the post-orbital and squamosal bones. It is now commonly believed that euryapsids (particularly sauropterygians) are in fact diapsids (which have two fenestrae behind the orbit) that lost the lower temporal fenestra. Euryapsids are usually considered entirely extinct, although turtles might be part of the sauropterygian clade while other authors disagree. Euryapsida may also be a synonym of Sauropterygia sensu lato. The ichthyosaurian skull is sometimes described as having a metapsid (or parapsid) condition instead of a truly euryapsid one. In ichthyosaurs, the squamosal bone is never part of the fenestra's margin. Parapsida was originally a taxon consisting of ichthyosaurs, squamates, protorosaurs, araeoscelidans and pleurosaurs.…

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