Varanopidae is an extinct family of amniotes that resembled monitor lizards and may have filled a similar niche, hence the name.
Typically, they are considered synapsids that evolved from an Archaeothyris-like synapsid in the Late Carboniferous.
However, some recent studies have recovered them being taxonomically closer to diapsid reptiles.
A varanopid from the latest Middle Permian Pristerognathus Assemblage Zone is the youngest known varanopid and the last member of the "pelycosaur" group of synapsids.
Varanopidae is an extinct family of amniotes that resembled monitor lizards and may have filled a similar niche, hence the name. Typically, they are considered synapsids that evolved from an Archaeothyris-like synapsid in the Late Carboniferous. However, some recent studies have recovered them being taxonomically closer to diapsid reptiles. A varanopid from the latest Middle Permian Pristerognathus Assemblage Zone is the youngest known varanopid and the last member of the "pelycosaur" group of synapsids.
Varanopidae