Lystrosaurus, Prehistoric Animal That Took Over

Approximately 95% of all species on Earth were wiped out following the end-Permian extinction.95% of all species on Earth were wiped out following the end-Permian extinction.The end-Permian extinction wiped out 95% of all species on Earth.Lystrosaurus survived the end-Permian extinction.About 250 million years ago, the continents combined to form the super-landmass of Pangaea. When a supervolcano on the northern tip of Pangaea erupted, one of the largest chain reactions in geological history began.A supervolcano caused the end-Permian extinction.A supervolcano on the northern tip of Pangaea erupted. This started one of the largest chain reactions in geological history.

The Siberian Traps area spewed huge amounts of lava, ash, and toxins. An estimated 43,000 gigatons of carbon entered the atmosphere, causing a harmful habitat and ocean acidification.The event released 43,000 gigatons.43,000 gigatons of carbon were absorbed by the atmosphere, creating a harmful habitat and ocean acidification. Several species survived; the Lystrosaurus was the most successful.Lystrosaurus survived..

Lystrosaurus survived a cataclysm. They used it to become the most common land animal on Earth. Scientists found only one Lystrosaurus fossil that predates the Permian extinction, but after the disaster, the species' numbers grew fast.One Lystrosaurus fossil exists.One Lystrosaurus fossil predates the Permian extinction. After the cataclysm, the species' numbers grew exponentially.

Lystrosaurus became so common. Their skeletons made up 95% of the fossils found in many sites from that time. The Lystrosaurus became the dominant land vertebrate then.95% of the fossils show survival.95% of the fossils found in many sites from that time. The Lystrosaurus became the dominant land vertebrate of that period.

For years, scientists did not know how Lystrosaurus survived the toxic environment. One theory suggested Lystrosaurus adapted to eating simple plants that survived the Permian extinction. Another idea claimed they had large lungs.Lystrosaurus had large lungs that evolved to adapt to plunging oxygen levels.Lystrosaurus had large lungs that evolved to adapt to plunging oxygen levels. Some believe Lystrosaurus, like crocodiles, led a semi-aquatic lifestyle.Shortened lifespans and rapid reproduction helped crocodiles succeed.similar to crocodiles, led a semi-aquatic lifestyle.

Scientists at the University of UtahScientists at the University of Utah believe they discovered Lystrosaurus' survival secret. Comparing growth rates in Lystrosaurus fossils before and after the extinction showed post-extinction skeletons were smaller, dying at younger ages. Animals living up to 13 or 14 years now lived only two to three years. They also reproduced much earlier.They discovered Lystrosaurus' survival secret. Comparing growth rates in Lystrosaurus fossils before and after the extinction event revealed post-extinction skeletons were smaller and died younger. Animals that lived 13 or 14 years now lived only two to three. They also reproduced earlier.

This lifestyle let the species survive while lowering the quality of life for individual Lystrosaurus. The strategy was not perfect, but it worked well enough to make Lystrosaurus some of the most dominant land animals ever.

Lystrosaurus, meaning shovel lizard, shared anatomy with many burrowing animals. Adaptations for a semi-subterranean life likely helped them survive the apocalypse. Their front legs were larger and stronger than their hind legs, suggesting they dug and hid in underground dens.

Lystrosaurus sported a sharp, beak-like jaw and two tusks instead of teeth. Research showed they used their heads to dig up roots.They used their heads to dig up roots, an underground food source less affected by toxic air than plants above ground.Roots provided an underground food source less affected by toxic air than plants above ground.

Another surprise about Lystrosaurus life is the size of their domain.Their widespread size proved plate tectonics.Lystrosaurus fossils show up in Africa, Antarctica, India, and Russia, among other spots. These fossils appear throughout what was the ancient supercontinent Gondwana—the southern part of Pangaea.

The Lystrosaurus helped prove plate tectonics.LystrosaurusLystrosaurus was a vertebrate Alfred Wegener referenced in his work on continental drift.This research explored the mechanics of continental drift. Wegener suggested continents joined earlier and moved apart slowly over millions of years. He proposed that a single animal species appearing globally required this movement.Wegener theorized continents connected, then moved apart slowly over millions of years. He proposed a single species appearing globally required this continental drift.continental driftThe intense environmental shifts after the Permian extinction stopped stable food chains from forming. Biome collapses during that time gave Lystrosaurus an edge: a lack of predators.

Intense environmental shifts after the Permian extinction stopped stable food chains. Biome collapses gave Lystrosaurus an edge.and competition.Lystrosaurus survived through more than one adaptation. They might have suffered from habitual wandering.

, as their spread across Gondwana shows. When Permian extinction volcanoes erupted, Lystrosaurus moved south to escape the disaster.Their travel brought them to many ecosystems. They learned to claim new areas. Even with short legs, they pushed to the Earth's edges for better survival chances.Their spread across Gondwana shows this. Lystrosaurus moved south during the Permian extinction's volcanic eruptions to escape the disaster.

Traveling took Lystrosaurus to many ecosystems. They became good at claiming new areas. Even with stocky legs, they pushed to Earth's edges for survival.

Humans and Lystrosaurus look very different, yet they share more than most assume. Lystrosaurus belongs to the therapsid group, which eventually led to mammals.Twenty different species existed.Lystrosaurus may seem minor in Earth's history, but its existence and early Triassic dominance inform humanity. Studying these creatures helped establish plate tectonics and continental drift as facts. Scientists also gained survival ideas from Lystrosaurus's endurance.Spreading out, adapting to new areas, and making big lifestyle changes are tactics humans could use in an apocalypse.Research now proves this number is too high. Colonization of Earth involved only four to six Lystrosaurus species.

No agreement on the number of Lystrosaurus species shows divisions in science.

Humans and Lystrosaurus look different, but the two species share more than people think. Lystrosaurus belongs to the group calledtherapsidsTherapsids led to mammals. Therapsids are not direct human ancestors, but they aredistant cousinsmany times removed.

Lystrosaurus seems small in Earth's life story, but its existence and dominance in the early Triassic inform humanity. Studying these creatures helped establish thetheoryplate tectonics and continental drift as facts. Scientists also gained survival strategies from Lystrosaurus' survival.

Spreading out, adapting to new places, and changing lifestyles are tactics humans could use in an apocalypse.