In Depth
The establishment of Bentonyx as a genus actually began in 2008 when a species of Rhynchosaurus, R. spenceri was re-named as its own genus called Fodonyx. Further study into the fossils that went into establishing the Fodonyx genus found that one of the skulls was actually different. In 2010 this skull was split away from Fodonyx and used to establish the genus Bentonyx.
Bentonyx means ‘Bentons’ claw’, and is in honour of Michael J. Benton, one of the authors who established the earlier Fodonyx genus which led to the subsequent discovery of Bentonyx.
Further Reading
- On Fodonyx spenceri and a new rhynchosaur from the Middle Triassic of Devon. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30(6):1884-1888. - M. C. Langer, F. C. Montefeltro, D. W. E. Hone, R. Whatley & C. L. Schultz - 2010.
