Dendrerpeton

Dendrerpeton (from , 'tree' and , 'creeping thing') is a genus of an extinct group of temnospondyl amphibians. Its fossils have been found primarily in the Joggins Formation of Eastern Canada and in Ireland. It lived during the Carboniferous and is said to be around 309–316 million years of age, corresponding to more specifically the Westphalian age. Of terrestrial temnospondyl amphibians evolution, it represents the first stage. Although multiple species have been proposed, the species unanimously recognized is D. acadianum. This species name comes from "Acadia" which is a historical name for the Nova Scotia region as a French colony. It refers to the location of the coal field at which the fossil was found.

== History and discovery == The majority of Dendrerpeton fossils that had been discovered were disarticulated due to the way in which they had formed. They are often associated with lycopsid, Sigillaria, and Calamites tree stumps which decayed inside and became hollow, and are found in Parrsboro formation and the Joggins formation in Nova Scotia. There is also evidence for articulated specimens in Ireland at the Jarrow Colliery. However, they were found to be enveloped by substance that had a very low pH. Although not all specimens were equally affected and some were well preserved, many were not because of this pH. In general, many of the fossils are found in the trunks of these trees or coal swamps.