Cyonosaurus

Cyonosaurus is a small gorgonopsid with a long narrow slender snout. A number of species have been described: C. longiceps, C. rubidgei, C. kitchingi, C. broomianus, C. tenuirostris.

Name

Cyonosaurus longiceps

Authority

Olson, 1937

Meaning of generic name

Dog lizard

Meaning of specific name

long legs

Size

Length: 1 m, Skull length: 15 cm.

Remains

Holotype (WMUC 1515): skull of an immature individual

Referred specimens: RC 75, BPI 254, BPI 254, BPI 294.

Age and Distribution

Horizon: Lower Cistecephalus Assemblage Zone, Beaufort Group, Upper Permian (Wuchiapingian).

Locality: Toverwater farm and few miles southeast of Murraysburg, South Africa.

Classification

Synapsida Therapsida Gorgonopsia

Further Reading

Olson, E. C., 1937, the cranial morphology of a new gorgonopsian: Journal of Geology, v. 65, n. 5, p. 511-527.

Sigogneau, D., 1970. Revision Systematique des Gorgonopsiens Sud-Africains: Cahiers de Paleontologie, 414pp.

Gebauer E., 2007. Phylogeny and Evolution of the Gorgonopsia with a Special Reference to the Skull and Skeleton of GPIT/RE/7113, doctoral dissertation.

Synonyms

Cyniscops longiceps Broom, 1941