Cardiodon is a term that refers to a subclass of ancient mammal-like reptiles known as therapsids, which were dominant during the Permian and Triassic periods, over 200 million years ago. These creatures are classified within the larger group of reptiles called synapsids, which eventually gave rise to modern mammals.
The name "cardiodon" is derived from the Greek words "cardio," meaning heart, and "odon," meaning tooth, which signifies their characteristic teeth. Cardiodon is characterized by its dentition, which features specialized cutting, piercing, and grinding teeth that help with feeding and processing various types of plants material, insects, or even small vertebrates.
In terms of physical appearance, cardiodon species typically displayed a range of sizes, from small, rat-sized animals to larger, dog-sized ones. They were predominantly quadrupedal, with limbs positioned directly beneath the body for better support. Most cardiodon species possessed a muscular tail that was often used for balance and maneuverability.
These reptiles were prevalent in terrestrial environments across different parts of the world during their time. They were integral to the ecosystems they inhabited, contributing to the diversity and ecological interactions of their ecosystems. As therapsids, cardiodon played a crucial role in the evolution of early mammals, serving as an ancestral link between reptiles and mammals.
