Handbuch der Paläoherpetologie

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The present volume by Drs. R. R. SCHOCH and A. R. MILNER serves as a companion to Part 3B, focusing on the Stereospondyli clade of temnospondyls. A subsequent volume will address stem tetrapods and their proximate sister-taxa. Due to the rapid advancements in research on stem amphibians and tetrapods, the decision was made to release Volume 3 of the Handbook of Paleoherpetology in three parts to encompass the extensive information available. These syntheses aim to be valuable resources for researchers studying early tetrapod evolution. Despite being studied since the 19th century, temnospondyls received limited attention until Romer's foundational 1947 review, which compiled diverse information on their morphology and established major grades among them. The latter half of the 20th century saw a resurgence in temnospondyl research, with detailed morphological studies and phylogenetic analyses clarifying their evolutionary history and relationships to modern amphibians. While debates continue, many now support a sister-group relationship between the Dissorophoidea clade and Batrachia. The authors, recognized leaders in temnospondyl morphology and phylogeny, have examined most key specimens and built upon SCHOCH's recent phylogenetic analysis to frame this review. The authors and editor express gratitude to Dr. F. PFEIL for his unwavering support of the Handbook.