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Synapsid

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Synapsida, or mammal-like reptiles, are believed to have led to the evolution of mammals. Synapsida rose to power during the Late Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian) period and continued to be the dominant land vertebrate through the Permian and Triassic periods. One of the main characteristics of all animals classified under the subclass Synapsida is the Synapsid skull, an opening behind the eye socket that allowed for the evolution of a better jaw, is found in all mammals, past and present albeit in modified forms. Prior to the development of the synapsid type skull, reptiles had a low, flat head with jaw muscles that were arranged in such a way to allow their jaws to snap together, but not to bite together in a hard pressing motion. Thus their diets and actions were very limited. With the development of the synapsid skull many other environmental niches were opened up, drastically changing the way that those in the same environment lived and evolved, such as plants which required the evolution of better defensive characteristics. .... (read more)

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