Newberry, Proc. Phila. Acad. Nat. Sci., VIII, p. 98, 1856 (Pygopterus scutellatus).
Cope, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc., p. 22, 1869.
Cope, Geol. Surv. Ohio, II, pt. II, p. 402, 1875.
Hay, Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv., No. 179, p. 419, 1902.
Type: Sauropleura scutellata Newberry.
Vertebra and ribs well developed; limbs 4, rather large; 5 digits in the forefoot; carpus cartilaginous. Ventral armature of closely arranged rhomboidal scuta, arranged in lines, which are closely placed in chevrons, with the angle anterior.
In none of the species of this genus have the usual 3 thoracic shields (clavicles and interclavicles) been observed. The abdominal scutæ, on the other hand, are much like those of Saurerpeton, being, however, smaller.
The species formerly described by Cope in the genus Colosteus are included in Sauropleura, where they find their closest allies.
There are 7 species belonging in this genus: Sauropleura digitata Cope, S. newberryi Cope, S. foveata Cope (Colosteus), S. scutellata Newberry (Colosteus) (type of genus), S. pauciradiata Cope (Colosteus), S. longidentata Moodie, S. enchodus Cope (Anisodexis). The species described by Cope as Sauropleura latithorax is regarded as belonging to a distinct genus, Saurerpeton.