Diapsids ("two arches") are a group of
amniote tetrapods that developed two holes (
temporal fenestra) in each side of their
skulls about 300
million years ago during the late
Carboniferous period. The diapsids are extremely diverse, and include all
crocodiles,
lizards,
snakes,
tuatara,
birds and non-avian
dinosaurs. Although some diapsids have lost either one hole (lizards), or both holes (snakes), or have a heavily restructured skull (modern birds), they are still
classified as diapsids based on their ancestry. At least 7,925
species of diapsid reptiles exist in environments around the world today (nearly 18,000 when birds are included).