 Temnospondyls like Sclerocephalus are known from both large adult specimens and small larvae , showing an extreme change in body shape . In these species , the shape and proportions of skull bones change in the early stages of development . The ornamentation on the surface of the skull roof also develops at this time . Small , regularly spaced pits are the first to form , followed by larger ridges . As development continues , the external gills disappear . Small teeth that once covered the palate are lost . The postcranial skeleton does not develop at the same rate as the skull , with ossification ( the replacement of cartilage by bone ) happening more slowly . Vertebrae and limb bones are poorly developed , ribs and fingers are absent in the early stages , and the scapulocoracoid and ischium are entirely absent through most of development . Once maturity is reached , most bones have fully formed and growth rate slows . The bones of some temnospondyls like Dutuitosaurus show growth marks , possibly an indication that growth rate varied with the change in seasons . Fossils of temnospondyls like Metoposaurus and Cheliderpeton show that individuals grew larger past maturity . The oldest individuals usually have more pitting on their skulls with deeper sulci . 
 Temnospondyls like Sclerocephalus are known from both large adult specimens and small larvae , showing an extreme change in body shape . In these species , the shape and proportions of skull bones change in the early stages of development . The ornamentation on the surface of the skull roof also <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>develops</mark></a> at this time . Small , regularly spaced pits <a href='drop_aux' title='2'><mark>are</mark></a>the first to form , followed by larger ridges . As development <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>continues</mark></a> , the external gills disappear . Small teeth <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>that</mark></a>once covered the palate are lost . The postcranial skeleton <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>does</mark></a> not develop at the same rate as the skull , with ossification ( the replacement of cartilage by bone ) happening more slowly . Vertebrae and limb bones are poorly developed , ribs and fingers <a href='drop_aux' title='6'><mark>are</mark></a>absent in the early stages , and the scapulocoracoid and ischium <a href='drop_aux' title='7'><mark>are</mark></a>entirely absent through most of development . Once maturity is reached , most bones <a href='been_done' title='8'><mark>have</mark></a> fully formed and growth rate <a href='uninflect' title='9'><mark>slows</mark></a> . The bones of some temnospondyls like Dutuitosaurus show growth marks , possibly an indication that growth rate varied with the change in seasons . Fossils of temnospondyls like Metoposaurus and Cheliderpeton show that individuals grew larger past maturity . The oldest individuals usually <a href='got' title='10'><mark>have</mark></a> more pitting on their skulls with deeper sulci . 
Temnospondyls like Sclerocephalus are known from both large adult specimens and small larvae , showin an extreme change in body shape . In dese species , da shape and proportions of skull bones change in the early stages of development . Tdaornamentation on the surface of the skull roof also develop at this time . Small , regularly spaced pits thdairst to form , followed by larger ridges . As development continue , thedaternal gills disappear . Small teef once covered the daate are lost . The pdacranial skeleton do not develop at the same rate as the skull , with ossification ( the replacement of cartilage by bone ) happening more slowly . Vertebrae and limb bones are poorly developed , ribs and fingers absent in the eada stages , and the scapulocoracoid and ischium entirely absent through most of development . Once maturity is reached , most bones done fully formed and growth rate slow . The bones of some temnospondyls like Dutuitosaurus show growth marks , possibly an indication dat growth rate varied w the chada in seasons . Fossils of temnospondyls like Metoposaurus and Cheliderpeton show that individuals grew larger past maturity . The oldest individuals usually got more pitting on their skulls with deeper sulci .