Maddin et al. (2011) provided a detailed re-description of the holotype based on CT data; this study was one of the first to explore 'microsaur' anatomy using tomographic methods.

[3] These authors provided substantial new information on the internal anatomy, particularly the braincase, and recovered support for close affinities of brachystelechids and caecilians in the longstanding debate over the origin of modern amphibians.

Mann et al. (2019) reported the first postcrania of the taxon based on a small block that was catalogued with the holotype skull but never described; the authors indicate that correspondence with K.W.

The most recent diagnosis was provided by Maddin et al. (2011)[3] and includes features such as a short, wide skull with a well-ossified anterior braincase.

[4] Below is the strict consensus tree from Mann & Maddin (2019):[7] Seymouria Limnoscelis Petrolacosaurus Captorhinus Opisthodontosaurus Ophiacodon Dimetrodon Pantylus Llistrofus Micraroter Nannaroter Pelodosotis Huskerpeton Cardiocephalus Rhynchonkos Aletrimyti Dvellecanus Brachydectes Quasicaecilia Diabloroter Batropetes Carrolla