Dendrerpeton fossil map
Where fossils of Dendrerpeton have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 330 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 330 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 | 318.7–316.9 million years ago (Bashkirian) |
| Periods | Carboniferous |
| Family | Dendrerpetidae |
| Named by | Owen 1853 |
| Fossil records | 6 occurrences at 3 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Canada, Ireland |
| Rock formations | Joggins, Parrsboro, Coolbaun Formation |
About Dendrerpeton
Dendrerpeton (from Greek: δένδρον déndron, 'tree' and Greek: ἑρπετόν herpetón, 'creeping thing') is a genus of an extinct group of temnospondyl amphibians. Its fossils have been found primarily in the Joggins Formation of Eastern Canada and in Ireland. It lived during the Carboniferous and is said to be around 309–316 million years of age, corresponding to more specifically the Westphalian age. Of terrestrial temnospondyl amphibians evolution, it represents the first stage. Although multiple species have been proposed, the species unanimously recognized is D. acadianum. This species name comes from "Acadia" which is a historical name for the Nova Scotia region as a French colony. It refers to the location of the coal field at which the fossil was found.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Dendrerpeton (revision 1354645780), 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: Q2566901.
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