R. M. Applebly

C. B. Cox, Alan Charig, L. B. H. Tarlo, K. A. Kermack

Book

The Fossil Record

Geological Society of London

Part II

695-731

The Reptilia are frequently divided into subclasses on the basis of the temporal openings in the skull roofing bones: Anapsida (no openings, incl. Chelonia and Cotylosauria), "Parapsida" (upper opening, Ichthyosauria and Plesiosauria), Synapsida (lower, mammal-like reptiles), Diapsida (both upper and lower, Lepidosauria and Archosauria). Although this classification is perfectly adequate for living reptiles, it cannot be satisfactorily applied to the fossil groups. Unfortunately at present it is not possible to give a classification which is acceptable to all workers in the field, and in consequence that employed here represents a compromise between two basically opposed views.

English