Aphaneramma fossil map
Where fossils of Aphaneramma have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 252 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 252 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early tetrapods & amphibians |
|---|---|
| Lived | 251.902–247 million years ago |
| Periods | Triassic |
| Family | Trematosauridae |
| Named by | Woodward 1904 |
| Fossil records | 15 occurrences at 13 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Russia, Pakistan, Madagascar |
| Rock formations | Kongressfjellet, Zhitkov, Mianwali, Middle Sakamena |
About Aphaneramma
Aphaneramma is an extinct genus of marine temnospondyl amphibian. It lived during the Early Triassic epoch, approximately 252–247 Ma ago, and had a global distribution.
Fossils have been found in the Mianwali Formation of Pakistan, Madagascar, the Zhitkov Formation of Russia, the Vikinghøgda Formation (Kongressfjellet Formation) of Svalbard (Norway), and the Blina Shale of Western Australia.
Aphaneramma had a skull about 40 centimetres (16 in) in length. Its jaws were very long, similar to the extant gharial's, and lined with small teeth. This adaptation suggests that it may have preyed on fish. A marine lifestyle for this animal was proposed.
Aphaneramma is closely related to Cosgriffius from North America.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Aphaneramma (revision 1362398111), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q2544680.
