What are Synapsids?
Q: What are Synapsids?
A: Synapsids are a taxonomic class of tetrapods.
Q: What is included in the class Synapsids?
A: The class Synapsids includes mammals and earlier groups related to mammals.
Q: When did Synapsids and Sauropsids evolve?
A: Both Synapsids and Sauropsids evolved about 345 million years ago during the early Carboniferous period.
Q: What is the sister group of Synapsids?
A: The sister group of Synapsids is Sauropsida.
Q: What are Pelycosaurs and Therapsids?
A: Pelycosaurs and Therapsids are two groups of Synapsids. Pelycosaurs lived in the Permian period, while Therapsids are still present today.
Q: What happened to the Pelycosaurs and Therapsids over time?
A: Pelycosaurs were dominant on land in the Permian, but many species became extinct at the Permian-Triassic extinction event. Therapsids were still dominant on land in the Lower Triassic, but by the Upper Triassic, dinosaurs had taken over.
Q: What are amniotes?
A: Amniotes are a group of tetrapods that lay eggs with membranes that protect and nourish developing embryos. Synapsids and Sauropsids are two major groups of amniotes.
