Nanoparia

Nanoparia is a genus of extinct parareptiles that lived during the Late Permian period. These small, lizard-like creatures were part of the larger clade of nycteroleterids, a group characterized by their robust skulls and relatively small body size. Fossil discoveries of Nanoparia have primarily been made in Russia, contributing to our understanding of the Permian terrestrial ecosystems of that region.

The skeletal remains of Nanoparia suggest a terrestrial lifestyle, likely feeding on insects or other small invertebrates. Like other nycteroleterids, Nanoparia possessed features indicative of a strong bite, potentially used for crushing exoskeletons. The exact phylogenetic relationships within Nycteroleteridae and the broader Parareptilia remain a subject of ongoing research, but Nanoparia provides valuable anatomical information that helps paleontologists piece together the evolutionary history of these early reptile relatives. The name Nanoparia itself reflects the relatively small size of the animal, comparing it to other members of the Pareiasauria.