In Depth Elliotsmithia is a little known genus of pelycosaur that was initially described from the study of a partial skull. Further Reading - A further contribution to our knowledge of the fossil reptiles of the Karroo. - Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 107(3):299-318. - Robert Broom - 1937. - Anatomy and relationships … Read more
In Depth With bone features similar to the genus Mycterosaurus, yet different enough to be distinct, Dendromaia is a genus of varanopid pelycosaur that lived in North America during the Carboniferous. Dendromaia was described from the description of two individuals on a fossil bearing rock slab, one large, the other much smaller with slightly differing … Read more
In Depth Broomisaurus was originally named as Scymnorhinus planiceps by Robert Broom in 1913, however the genus name Scymnorhinus had already been established, so the name Broomisaurus was given to this gorgonopsid by Joleaud in 1920. Because Broomisaurus is only known from fragmentary remains the genus has often been listed as a Nomen dubium because … Read more
In Depth Ennatosaurus is a genus of caseid pelycosaur that in Russia during the later stages of the Permian. These kinds of pelycosaurs are noted for their herbivorous diets and powerful fore limbs which may have been used for digging up plants. The most interesting thing about Ennatosaurus is that when the first remains were … Read more
In Depth Synostocephalus is a genus of dicynodont therapsid that lived in South Africa during the Permian. Further Reading Further reading- �ber einige primitive Anomodontier-Sch�del aus den unteren Beaufort-Schichten. Ibidem Sitzber. Bayer. Ak. Wiss., Math.-Naturw. Abt 223-278. – F. Broili & J. Schroeder – 1935.
In Depth Although it did not have the large sail supporting spines that other pelycosaurs like Dimetrodon, Secodontosaurus, Ctenospondylus and Edaphosaurus had, Sphenacodon still possessed enlarged neural spines rising from its vertebrae. These are considered to have been the supports for powerful dorsal muscles that would allow Sphenacodon to undertake powerful strikes towards is prey, … Read more
In Depth Newtonella is a genus of dicynodont that lived in South Africa during the Permian. Further Reading - A further contribution to our knowledge of the fossil reptiles of the Karroo. - Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 107(3):299-318.- Robert Broom - 1937.
In Depth Edaphosaurus is easily one of the more recognisable pelycosaurs, even if the genus is often presented in the shadow cast by the much more famous Dimetrodon. These two genera of pelycosaur are at opposite ends of the ecosystem however, with Edaphosaurus being a plant eater specialising in low growing vegetation, and Dimetrodon being … Read more
In Depth Brachyprosopus is a genus of anomodont therapsid that lived in South Africa during the Permian. Further Reading -The skull structure of a new anomodont. - Journal of Geology 45(8):851-858. - E. C. Olson - 1937. – A reevaluation of Brachyprosopus broomiand Chelydontops altidentalis, dicynodonts (Therapsida, Anomodontia) from the middle Permian Tapinocephalus Assemblage Zone … Read more
In Depth Riebeeckosaurus would have been just another run of the mill tapinocephalid dinocephalian therapsid were it not for the extreme elongation of the skull. Though possibly for display, the elongation of the skull may denote a feeding adaptation and dietary specialisation. Further Reading - Nuwe tapinocephalidae, Riebeeckosaurus longisrostris gen. et sp. nov. Tydskr. Wet. … Read more