Gorgonops
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (September 2022) |
Gorgonops | |
---|---|
G. whaitsi skull (specimen 5537) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Clade: | Synapsida |
Clade: | Therapsida
|
Clade: | †Gorgonopsia |
Family: | †Gorgonopsidae |
Subfamily: | † Gorgonopsinae
|
Genus: | †Gorgonops Owen, 1876 |
Type species | |
†Gorgonops torvus Owen, 1876
| |
Species | |
|
Gorgonops (from
History of discovery
The
Gorgonops is known from the Tropidostoma and most of the Cistecephalus Assemblage Zones.[4]
Description
Gorgonops was a medium-sized gorgonopsian, with a skull length of 22–35 centimetres (8.7–13.8 in), depending on the species. They ranged from 1.2–2 metres (3.9–6.6 ft) long from nose to tail. Gorgonops would have been one of the key predators across southern Africa during the
Skull
Relative to body size, Gorgonops had a deep skull with a triangular profile when viewed from above. Perhaps the most distinctive features were two enlarged canine teeth that were so big (12 centimetres (4.7 in) long) they almost protruded beyond the lower jaw. To help protect these teeth, the lower jaws grew in such a shape so that the anterior (front) portion was thicker than the posterior (rear) portion. This form would have protected the enlarged canine teeth from accidental damage, and was similar in bone function to the flanges of bone of sabre-toothed cats in the Cenozoic.
Species
Gorgonops torvus (Owen, 1876)
The type species. The holotype is an incomplete and flattened skull found at Mildenhalls, Fort Beaufort, South Africa. A number of other specimens have been found since, all from the Tropidostoma and/or Cistecephalus Assemblage Zone(s). This was a medium-sized therapsid, with a skull about 22 cm in length. It is distinguished from other species by a longer snout, and other details of the bones of the skull. Originally considered rather simple, it is actually (according to Sigogneau-Russell) a rather specialised member of the group.[5]
Gorgonops whaitsi (Broom, 1912)
Larger than G. torvus, with the rear of the skull wider, and other details of proportion. Originally the type species of Scymnognathus. Despite being known from a large number of specimens from the
Gorgonops longifrons (Haughton, 1915)
A large specimen known from an incomplete and flattened skull about 35 centimetres (14 in) long. Orbit larger and snout longer than G. whaitsi, from which it may have descended. Beaufort West, Tropidostoma/Cistecephalus Assemblage Zone. Synonyms: Gorgonognathus longifrons (Haughton, 1915)
Gorgonops? eupachygnathus (Watson, 1921)
A flattened, incomplete, medium-sized skull, probably a juvenile of either G. torvus or G. whaitsi Synonyms: Leptotrachelus eupachygnathus (Watson, 1921); Leptotracheliscops eupachygnathus (Watson, 1921)
Gorgonops? dixeyi (Haughton, 1926)
A large, incomplete and flattened skull, from
Gorgonops? kaiseri (Broili & Schroeder, 1934)
A large (about 35 centimetres (14 in) long), incomplete skull, with a high snout and narrower in the rear than other species, from the "High Tapinocephalus zone" (earlier than the other species, most probably Pristerognathus Assemblage Zone) Synonyms: Pachyrhinos kaiseri (Broili & Schroeder, 1934)
Classification
Below is a cladogram from Gebauer's 2007 phylogenetic analysis.[7]
Gorgonopsia |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See also
References
- ^ Owen, R. (1986). Descriptive and illustrated catalogue of the fossil Reptilia of South Africa in the collection of the British museum. British Museum (Natural History). pp. 27–29.
- ^ Lydekker, R. (1890). Catalogue of the fossil Reptilia and Amphibia in the British Museum (Natural history) Part IV. British Museum (Natural History). p. 111.
- .
- ^ Smith, R.H.M.; Keyser, A.W. (1995). "Biostratigraphy of the Tropidostoma Assemblage Zone". Geological Survey of South Africa. 1: 18–22.
- ^ ISBN 978-3-89937-033-1.
- ^ Jacobs, L.L.; Winkler, D.A.; Newman, K.D.; Gomani, E.M.; Deino, A. (2005). "Therapsids from the Permian Chiweta Beds and the age of the Karoo Supergroup in Malawi". Palaeontologia Electronia. 8 (1): 28A.
- ^ Gebauer, E.V.I. (2007). Phylogeny and evolution of the Gorgonopsia with a special reference to the skull and skeleton of GPIT/RE/7113 ('Aelurognathus?' parringtoni) (PDF) (Ph.D. thesis). Tübingen: Eberhard-Karls Universität Tübingen. pp. 1–316.