Acta Musei Moraviae

Research history overview of the representatives of Temnospondyli Zittel, 1888 and Lepospondyli Zittel, 1888 from the Upper Carboniferous of Czech Republic

Temnospondyli ZITTEL, 1888 represents a group of diverse basal tetrapods with stratigraphic record from the Lower Carboniferous to the Lower Cretaceous, however, non-stereospondyl temnospondyls were predominant components in Paleozoic. Similarly, Lepospondyli ZITTEL, 1888 are fairly diverse in term of morphology and number of species, but stratigraphically so far restricted to the Paleozoic Era (Lower Carboniferous – Upper Permian). Historically, among the first and most important localities of the Upper Carboniferous age, containing abundant remains of temnospondyls and lepospondyls, were located at the three different coalbearing sites in the Czech Republic: Nýřany, Třemošná and Kounov. Present article provides a summary of the knowledge on the main tetrapod-bearing horizonts of the above mentioned localities and further presents a thorough overview of the research history of all valid temnospondyl and lepospondyl species from the three sites so far published in the literature. At present time, at least 9, 1 and 1 species of lepospondyls and 8, 2 and 2 species of temnospondyls can be recognized at Nýřany, Třemošná and Kounov, respectively. Moreover, number of species historically described on the basis of doubtful material is briefly discussed, and necessity of an additional research is emphasized where warrant. All concerned species are treated in up to date systematic framework.