Encyclopedia of Prehistoric Life and Evolutionary Biology

• Anthracosaur — A generic term for large fossil amphibians with transitional characteristics between amphibians and reptiles, which lived during the Paleozoic era, particularly during the Carboniferous and Permian periods. These primitive tetrapods were top predators in swamp ecosystems, featuring massive skulls, sharp labyrinthodont teeth, and a lifestyle adapted to both deep aquatic environments and early terrestrial movement.