Cacops was a genus of Dissorophid amphibians that is known from the Early Permian of Texas. It was about 40 cm (1 ft 4 inches) long, with a heavily built skull and an enormous otic notch enclosed with a bony bar; indicating an enormous eardrum. Edwin Colbert suggests that perhaps it was a nocturnal animal like modern frogs. The body is short, and the back is protected by a double row of armour plates. The legs are strong and indicate a terrestrial animal, and the tail is short.

References

• Colbert, E. H., (1969), Evolution of the Vertebrates, John Wiley & Sons Inc (2nd ed.)

Temnospondyls | Permian animals | Prehistoric amphibians

Cacops