Diplocaulus
Diplocaulus is a genus of extinct amphibians that existed in North America and Africa millions of years ago. Recognized for its distinctive boomerang-shaped head, this creature could grow up to four feet long and weighed around 33 pounds. It had a flat body, a long tail, and two prominent horns on its head, which may have served various purposes, including feeding and balancing. Diplocaulus primarily inhabited the bottoms of lakes and rivers, where it hunted for fish, small amphibians, and invertebrates using a unique feeding strategy involving headlifting and tail movements.
The creature is believed to have been capable of both swimming and crawling on land, occasionally leaving the water to search for food or breeding sites. Fossil evidence indicates that Diplocaulus is from the late 19th century, with notable species including D. salamandroides and the more commonly found D. magnicornis. While not a land-dwelling amphibian, it could survive in hot conditions by burying itself in mud. Diplocaulus faced predation from large aquatic predators and possibly other Diplocaulus, particularly targeting the more vulnerable young. Fossils of this intriguing amphibian have been discovered in regions such as Oklahoma, Texas, and Morocco, contributing to our understanding of its ecological role.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Diplocaulus
Diplocaulus was a genus of amphibians that lived in North America and Africa millions of years ago. This lizard-like creature had a boomerang-shaped head used to lift itself from the floor of rivers and lakes to feed.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Amphibia
Class: Lepospondyli
Order: Nectridea
Family: Keraterpetontidae
Genus: Diplocaulus
Species: Various (see below)
Scientists believe several species of Diplocaulus existed. The first discovered species, D. salamandroides, surfaced in the late-1800s. Soon after, the most commonly found species, D. magnicornis, was discovered along with the rarely found D. brevirostris. Diplocaulus had a large head shaped like a boomerang, a long snake-like tail, and a flat body. The adult's head had two large horns. Horns also appeared on the young, but they were smaller. The exact use of these horns is unknown. Scientists once believed the horns protected Diplocaulus from predators and made Diplocaulus difficult to swallow. Other scientists asserted that they helped balance the animal's large head or secure itself against the river's flow by digging into the mud. It was later discovered that the horns were used in feeding.
Diplocaulus grew to four feet (1 1/4 meters) long and weighed 33 pounds (15 kilograms). It swam through the water using its tail, short legs, and webbed hind feet. If Diplocaulus needed to, it could crawl on land as well. Scientists are unsure if Diplocaulus breathed through gills on the side of its body like a fish, or if it had lungs like humans. Diplocaulus spent much of its time feeding at the bottom of lakes and rivers. The amphibian likely had gills, allowing it to hunt without rising to the surface for air.
When hungry, Diplocaulus went after fish, small amphibians, tadpoles, insects, worms, and other invertebrates (animals with no backbone). It would lie still at the bottom of a lake or river. After spotting its prey, it would lift its head and move its tail back and forth quickly. The large horns on the animal's head acted like wings on an airplane and lifted the animal upward, allowing it to capture its prey quickly.
Diplocaulus was preyed on by 13-foot (four-meter) sharks, other large fish, and Eryops, a large amphibian that resembled the crocodile. Some deadly meat-eating reptiles like Dimetrodon would also have preyed on the much smaller Diplocaulus. The adult Diplocaulus could hide from its enemy at the bottom of a lake for a long time without coming up for air. The young Diplocaulus were likely the easiest to catch and likely eaten by other adult Diplocaulus.
The chosen habitat for Diplocaulus was lakes and rivers. While it was not a land animal, it sometimes left the water searching for a breeding site, food, a mate, or a new home. Fossils indicate that during hot summer months when water was scarce, Diplocaulus crawled on land and buried itself in the mud to stay cool.
Little is known about the breeding habits of Diplocaulus. The female probably laid eggs in the water that hatched into tadpoles. The number of eggs laid is unknown.
Fossil remains of Diplocaulus have been found in Oklahoma, Texas, and Morocco.
Bibliography
"Diplocaulus Magnicornis." Paleo Zoo, www.paleozoo.com.au/diplocaulus.php. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.
Young, Jerry. "An Ultimate Guide to Diplocaulus: The Double Stalk." Gage Beasley Prehistoric, 4 Jan. 2024, gagebeasleyprehistoric.com/profiles/diplocaulus. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.