The youngest occurrence of embolomeres (Tetrapoda: Anthracosauria) from the Sunjiagou Formation (Lopingian, Permian) of North China

Abstract. Embolomeri were semiaquatic predators prevalent in the Carboniferous, with only two species from the early Permian (Cisuralian). A new embolomere, Seroherpeton yangquanensis gen. et sp. nov. (Zoobank Registration number: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:790BEB94-C2CC-4EA4-BE96-2A1BC4AED748, registration: 23 November 2020), is named based on a partial right upper jaw and palate from the Sunjiagou Formation of Yangquan, Shanxi, China, and is late Wuchiapingian (late Permian) in age. It is the youngest embolomere known to date and the only embolomere reported from North China Block. Its phylogenetic position within Embolomeri is confirmed by the strongly developed descending flange on the quadrate ramus of the pterygoid. The new taxon is unique among embolomeres by features like a partial coverage of a denticle shagreens on the pterygoid; presence of a cylindrical shaft on the pterygoid, and two pairs of very large ectopterygoid tusks. Phylogenetic analysis shows Seroherpeton as being the sister group of a clade consisting of Proterogyrinus, Archeria, and Pholiderpeton. We hypothesize that the dispersal and decline of the embolomeres from Carboniferous to late Permian (Lopingian) is related to the climate changes, especially aridification, of the paleotropical regions.