BY BRIAN THOMAS, PH.D. * |
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

A Polish research duo described the remains of an elephant-size synapsid from upper Triassic rocks. Only it’s not supposed to be there. Secular reactions express shock at this turn from a longstanding evolutionary tale.

Synapsids are commonly referred to as “mammal-like reptiles,” but were neither reptiles nor mammals. They were unique—the sail-finned dimetrodon was a synapsid. Like dinosaurs, the whole group has gone extinct. Most, for example Moschops or the gorgonopsids, had front legs that bowed out. The newfound giant has straight front legs. From an engineering standpoint, that would help bear its bulk.

Read more: link