Late Permian pareiasaurs (IMAGE) California Academy of Sciences Caption By the end of the Permian, pareiasaurs had become large and armored for self-protection. Other plant-eaters included dicynodonts, preyed on by dinocephalians . This complex ecosystem collapsed during the end-Permian mass extinction event, and only a few dicynodonts survived. Credit © Xiaochong Guo Usage Restrictions Photos for editorial use only. Credits mandatory. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.