In Depth Lophorhinus was a burnetiamorph biarmosuchian therapsid that lived in South Africa during the late Permian. As a burnetiamorph Lophorhinus was closer in form to the genus Burnetia than to Biarmosuchus. Other genera that Lophorhinus seems to be closely related to include Lobalopex and Pachydectes. Lophorhinus had enlargeds canine teeth that were likely the … Read more
In Depth Herpetoskylax was a biarmosuchian (relative to the better known Biarmosuchus) therapsid that lived in South Africa towards the end of the Mid Permian period. So far the genus is only known from skulls and lower jaws, but as a biarmosuchian, Herpetoskylax would have been a predator. Further Reading - Herpetoskylax hopsoni, a new … Read more
In Depth Lemurosaurus is a genus of biarmosuchian therapsid that lived in South Africa during the late Cretaceous. Although Lemurosaurus lived during the late Permian, the genus is still noted as being primitive in form. Further Reading - New fossil reptile genera from the Bernard Price Collection. - Annals of the Transvaal Museum 21 (1): … Read more
In Depth Lobalopex is a genus of burnetiamorph biarmosuchian therapsid that lived in South Africa during the Permian. As a burnetiamorph, Lobalopex would have been more closely related to genera such as Lophorhinus and Pachydectes than to Biarmosuchus. Further Reading - A New Burnetiamorph Therapsid from the Teekloof Formation, Permian of South Africa. - Journal … Read more
In Depth Biarmosuchus is noted as being a primitive theraspid, the group of mammal like reptiles that evolved from the pelycosaurs, and whose descendents would go onto becoming the first mammals. As a predator, Biarmosuchus was likely a fast hunter capable of running down its prey. This is evidenced by its long slender limbs that … Read more