Modern Forms
Diapsids are represented
today by over 15000 species. The Lepidosauria includes the
single sphenodontid species, Sphenodon, and nearly 6000
species of lizards and snakes. Crocodilians and birds are
archosaurs, represented by nearly 9000 species today.
Examples of the four living diapsid groups (from left):
alligator (Crocodylomorpha); penguin (Aves); lizard and snake
(Squamata)
Websites produced by students
on the MSc
Palaeobiology programme in the Department
of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol for academic
year 2004-5
