In Depth Tropidostoma is a genus of dicynodont therapsid that lived in South Africa during the Permian. Further Reading - Researches on the Structure, Organisation, and Classification of the Fossil Reptilia. - VI. On the Anomodont Reptilia and Their Allies. - Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series B 180:215-296. - Harry Govier … Read more
In Depth Kwazulusaurus is a genus of dicynodont that lived in South Africa during the late Permian. Kwazulusaurus seems to be transitional in form, as even though many of the features of the genus are quite primitive, Kwazulusaurus does have some similar features as the more advanced Lystrosaurus. Further Reading - A new basal lystrosaurid … Read more
In Depth Emydops is a genus of small dicynodont that lived across South Africa to India during the Late Permian. One notable observation about the genus is that while some skulls have tusks, others actually lack them. Further Reading - A new species of Emydops (Synapsida, Anomodontia) and a discussion of dental variability and pathology … Read more
In Depth Whereas Cistecephalus was the ‘Permian mole’, Dicynodon appears to have been the ‘Permian Rabbit’, a title that Dicynodon earned by the large abundance of fossils. This abundance has led to a great many species being named for the genus but as often happens, particularly with extinct animals from the early days of palaeontology, … Read more
In Depth Rastodon is a genus of dicynodont that lived in Brazil during the Permian. Like other dicynodonts, Rastodon had two tusks which grew downwards from the upper jaw. However, unlike dicynodont genera named before 2016, the tusks of Rastodon are noted as actually curving to point slightly forwards. Further Reading - A new dicynodont … Read more
In Depth Pristerodon is a genus of dicynodont that lived during the late Permian. Like relative genera, Pristerodon was a plant eater and likely dug out burrows on flood plains. Analysis of one Pristerodon has revealed the presence of an eardrum in the lower jaw. Not only has this given us an insight into how … Read more
In Depth Dicynodontoides is a genus of dicynodont that lived during the Permian. So far D. recurvidens is known from South Africa, while D. nowacki is known from Tanzania. Further Reading - Die Anomodontier des Ruhuhu-Gebietes in der T�binger Sammlung [Anomodontia of Ruhuhu valley in the collection of T�bingen]. - Palaeontographica Abteilung A 94:154-184. - … Read more
In Depth Compsodon is a little known genus of dicynodont therapsid that lived in South Africa during the Late Permian. Further Reading – Oor die indeling van die Dicynodontidae na aanleiding van nuwe vorme. – Paleontologiese Navorsing van die Nasionale Museum, Bloemfontein, Deel II, Sesde Stuk, p. 67-101. – E. C. N. van Hoepen – … Read more
In Depth Prosictodon is a genus of dicynodont that lived in South Africa during the Middle Permian. Further Reading - A new pylaecephalid dicynodont (Therapsida, Anomodontia) from the Tapinocephalus Assemblage Zone, Karoo Basin, Middle Permian of South Africa. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30 (5): 1396–1409. - Kenneth D. Angielczyk & Bruce S. Rubidge - … Read more
In Depth The incredibly broad range of Kannemeyeria fossils indicates that it probably had a worldwide distribution, especially across the southern continents. It is unknown how far north the full extent of Kannemeyeria was, but other similar dicynodonts such as Placerias are known from North America. Kannemeyeria is what you might call a typical large … Read more