Apateon is an extinct order of temnospondyl amphibian within the family Branchiosauridae.

Species

Fossil record

Fossils of Apateon are found in freshwaters strata of Latest Carboniferous (Gzhelian) to Early Permian (Asselian) of Germany.

Description

These amphibians could reach a length of about 5 - 12 cm, while the length of the skull could reach 8 - 24 mm. They resembled a salamander and had a laterally flattened tail with a long fin. The body was completely covered with rounded scales. The portion of the skull behind the eyes was quite short. On opposite sides of the head there are three pairs of long, spiral-shaped external gills. They had a weakly ossified skeleton and a wide, short skull, with huge eye holes. The teeth were small and peaked. On the hands are present four fingers.

Biology and lifestyle

Apateon were sexually mature in the larval state, with the retention by adults of traits seen in the young (neoteny). This fully aquatic animal lived in semi-permanent lakes and ponds. They fed on microorganisms. However, in exceptionally harsh environmental conditions, the species A. gracilis engaged in cannibalism.