DIADECTES

extinct genus of amphibians found as fossils in Lower Permian rocks in North America, dating from the Early Permian Period (286 to 258 million years ago). Diadectes had both reptilelike characteristics and primitive amphibian-like traits and is classified in the somewhat ambiguous order Seymouriamorpha. Diadectes grew to be about 6 feet (2 m) long. The skeleton was heavily constructed, with massive limbs, limb girdles, backbone, and ribs. The skull was relatively high and short. The teeth were blunt and peglike; Diadectes was probably one of the earliest terrestrial herbivores. The front teeth were longer than the cheek teeth and probably served to nip off plant material. The cheek teeth probably served to grind the plant material. See also Seymouria.