Thursday 28 November 2013

Lycaenops

A number of species of Lycaenops have been described. The best known is L. ornatus from South Africa, the type species for which an almost complete skeleton has been excavated. L. angusticeps, also from South Africa is characterized by a long and slender snout. L. quadrata (formerly Dixeya quadrata) from Malawi is known from an incomplete skull, L. sollasi is only from a snout. L. attenuatus (= Aelurognathus cf serratidens) is known from an extremely laterelly compressed skull.

Lycaenops was a medium sized mammal-like reptile, probably reaching lengths of 1.7 meter. In geological terms Lycaenops only lived for a short time span during the late Permian. Note on the images to the side the nicely pointed canine teeth, these teeth would have been ideal for stabbing or tearing the flesh of prey that it may have come up against.


I
Name
Lycaenops ornatus
Authority
Broom, 1925
Meaning of generic name
Wolf face
Size
Length: 1.7 m, Skull length: 29 cm
Remains
Holotype (AMNH 2240): Nearly complete skeleton

Referred specimens: BPI 260, BPI 334, RC 147, RC 148
Age and Distribution
Horizon: Cistecephalus Assemblage Zone, Beaufort Group, Upper Permian (Wuchiapingian).

Locality: South Africa.
Classification
Synapsida Therapsida Gorgonopsia Gorgonopsidae
Further Reading
Broom, R., 1925, On some new Carnivorus therapsids: Records of the Albany Museum, v. 3, p. 309-326.

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.
Images of L. ornatus by Tobu Namura (click to enlarge)
version a:
version b:
II
Name
Lycaenops angusticeps
Authority
(Broom, 1913)
Size
Length: 2 m, Skull length: 30 cm
Remains
Holotype (AMNH 5537):

Referred specimens: AMNH 5535
Age and Distribution
Horizon: Cistecephalus Assemblage Zone, Beaufort Group, Upper Permian (Wuchiapingian).

Locality: South Africa.
Classification
Synapsida Therapsida Gorgonopsia Gorgonopsidae
Further Reading
Broom, R., 1913, On a nearly perfect skull of a new species of the gorgonopsia: Annals of the South African Museum, v. 12, part 1, p. 8-10.

Sigogneau, D., 1970. & Gebauer E., 2007. As above.
Synonyms
Scymnognathus minor Broom, 1913, Lycaenoides angusticeps Broom, 1925, Scymnognathus minor Broom, 1913

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