Early Stages of Recovery of the East European Tetrapod Fauna after the End-Permian Crisis

Abstract

The succession of tetrapod communities, which arose in Eastern Europe after the end-Permian mass extinction, displays three major evolutionary episodes designated the Tupilakosaurus, Benthosuchus-Wetlugasaurus, and Parotosuchus faunas. They are dated Induan, Early Olenekian, and Late Olenekian, respectively. Each fauna comprises two successive groupings, with some of these showing further subdivisions. In terms of its biochronological importance, the Late Induan tetrapod grouping is currently regarded as the most ambiguous. The lists of taxa that characterize the composition of the distinguished faunal units are provided.