In Depth Brithopus is a little known genus of dinocephalian therapsid, and one that has a lot of questions concerning it. When first described, Brithopus was classed as a member of the Anteosauria, and when Brithopus became the type genus of its own group, the Brithopodidae, many anteosaurians were included with this sub group. However, … Read more
In Depth Although related to Titanosuchus, Jonkeria appears to be at the other end of the spectrum by being envisioned as an herbivore. However the similarity to Titanosuchus has led some to suggest that Jonkeria may actually be a carnivore, with the most obvious difference between the two being Jonkeria having shorter legs. Aside from … Read more
In Depth Scylacosaurus is a genus of therapsid that lived in South Africa. Further Reading - On the structure of the palate in the primitive theriodonts. - Geological Magazine 10 (8): 343–345. - Robert Broom - 1903.
In Depth The genus Inostrancevia is one of if not the largest gorgonopsid to every walk the Earth. At up to three and a half meters long there is little doubt that Inostrancevia would have been the apex predator of its environment, hunting other large vertebrates which may have included large and armoured pareiasaurs such … Read more
In Depth Ruberodon is a genus of cynodont that lived in India during the late Triassic. Further Reading - A New Late Triassic Traversodontid Cynodont (Therapsida, Eucynodontia) from India. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 35:e930472. - S. Ray - 2015.
In Depth Lycaenodon has occasionally been considered to be a gorgonopsid, but modern analysis firmly places Lycaenodon as a biarmosuchian therapsid. Like others of its kind, Lycaenodon would have been a predator of other animals. Lycaenodon should not be confused with the similarly named gorgonopsid Lycaenops that was also named By Robert Broom in 1925. … Read more
In Depth Progalesaurus is a genus of galesaurid cynodont that lived in South Africa during the early Triassic. Further Reading - A new galesaurid (Therapsida: Cyndontia) from the Lower Triassic of South Africa. - Palaeontology 47:535-556. - C. A. Sidor & R. M. H. Smith - 2004. – Aggregations and parental care in the Early … Read more
In Depth Lycophocyon is a genus of primitive caniform mammal that lived in western North America during the latter half of the Eocene. Caniform mammals like Lycophocyon are seen as the precursors of the true canids which today include dogs, bears, weasels, martens and even seals. Further Reading - A new basal caniform (Mammalia: Carnivora) … Read more
In Depth Yuanotherium is a genus of tritylodontid cynodont that lived in China during the late Jurassic. Further Reading - A new tritylodontid from the Upper Jurassic of Xinjiang, China. - Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 54(3):385-391. - Y. Hu, J. Meng & J. M. Clark - 2009.
In Depth Montirictus is a genus of tritylodontid cynodont that lived in what is now Japan during the early Cretaceous. Further Reading - A new Early Cretaceous tritylodontid (Synapsida, Cynodontia, Mammaliamorpha) from the Kuwajima Formation (Tetori Group) of central Japan. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 36(4). H. Matsuoka, N. Kusuhashi & I. J. Corfe - … Read more