Pseudophlegethontia has been considered to be morphologically intermediate between derivedphlegethontiids and more basal "ophiderpetontids" such as Ophiderpeton. It possesses basal characters such as a relatively short body, "k shaped" ribs, and distinctive skull roof bones while also possessing several more derived features such as a pointed snout, thin gastralia, and a lack of dorsal osteoderms.[1] It is usually,[2][3] but not unanimously,[4] placed as the sister taxon to phlegethontiids, represented by Phlegethontia.