Karaurus sharovi -Ivachnenko, 1978- skeleton
Lepospondyli: Urodela: Karauridae
Locality: Karatau Ridge, Chimkent Region, southern Kazakhstan
Age: Late Jurassic, 150 million years ago
A small and insufficiently known group of the lepospondyl labyrinthodonts appears as early as in the Carboniferous Period. They became most diversified in the Early Permian of North America. This group most probably gave rise to the Urodela, which includes, in particular, modern salamanders. The Late Jurassic Karaurus, known by this complete and wonderfully preserved specimen from the southern Kazakhstan, is the earliest known representantive of the Urodela.