Eogyrinus
author: Walter B. Myers/Novapix
reference: t-glb91-03101
Image Size 300 DPI: 34 * 25 cm
A 15 foot long, 200 pound prehistoric amphibian from the genus Eogyrinus swims down a Carboniferous tributary 300 million years ago in what is today western Europe. Further up the tributary another Eogyrinus prepares to enter the water. Eogyrinus was one of the largest predators of its time, and perhaps the largest of the family Eogyrinidae. It probably spent most of its time in the water, and like modern crocodiles probably fed on fish and other swimming vertebrates.
Also in this image, on the upper left on the trunk of a Sigillaria scutellata is a giant millipede and cockroach. Flying overhead and resembling giant dragonflies are prehistoric insects from the genus Meganeura. The tree-like plants making up the surrounding forest include Sigillaria scutellata and Lepidodendron aculeatum. The low ground cover includes various primitive ferns and mosses.