The Diplocaulidae ("double cauls") is an extinct family of "nectridean" tetrapodomorphs that arose during the Late Carboniferous and died out in the Late Permian. They are distinguished by the presence of strange, horn-like protrusions jutting out from the rear of their skulls; in some genera said protrusions gave their heads an almost boomerang-like outline.

Diploceraspis burkei

Phylogeny

Below is a cladogram modified from Germain (2010):

NectrideaPtyonius Urocordylidae Sauropleura Urocordylus Scincosaurus Diplocaulidae Keraterpeton Diceratosaurus Batrachiderpeton Peronedon Diplocaulus magnicornis Diploceraspis Diplocaulus minimus
Ptyonius
UrocordylidaeSauropleura Urocordylus
Sauropleura
Urocordylus
Scincosaurus Diplocaulidae Keraterpeton Diceratosaurus Batrachiderpeton Peronedon Diplocaulus magnicornis Diploceraspis Diplocaulus minimus
Scincosaurus
DiplocaulidaeKeraterpeton Diceratosaurus Batrachiderpeton Peronedon Diplocaulus magnicornis Diploceraspis Diplocaulus minimus
Keraterpeton
Diceratosaurus Batrachiderpeton Peronedon Diplocaulus magnicornis Diploceraspis Diplocaulus minimus
Diceratosaurus
Batrachiderpeton Peronedon Diplocaulus magnicornis Diploceraspis Diplocaulus minimus
Batrachiderpeton
Peronedon Diplocaulus magnicornis Diploceraspis Diplocaulus minimus
Peronedon
Diplocaulus magnicornis Diploceraspis Diplocaulus minimus
Diplocaulus magnicornis
Diploceraspis Diplocaulus minimus
Diploceraspis
Diplocaulus minimus