Procynosuchus delaharpeae

Procynosuchus was a common primitive cynodont that lived during the late Permian Period, around 255 million years ago. Remains of Procynosuchus have been discovered in Germany, Zambia and South Africa. Perhaps the most unusual characteristic of Procynosuchus was that it may have lived a semi-aquatic lifestyle like modern otters, most other cynodonts were terrestrial (lived on land). It was around 60 cm in length, and probably fed on a diet of fish.

Name

Procynosuchus delaharpeae

Authority

Broom, 1937

Meaning of generic name

Before dog crocodile.

Size

Skull length: 17 cm, Length: 60 cm

Remains

Holotype (RC 5): skull

Referred specimens: UMZC T.819 (partial skull, holotype of Parathrinaxodon proops); BP/1/226 (Aelurodracro microps); BP/1/591; RC 12 (holotype of Procynosuchus rubidgei); RC 72 (Galeophrys kitchingi); RC 92,(Leavachia duvenhagei); BP/1/650 (Protocynodon pricei); TSK 34 (complete skeleton).

Age and Distribution

Horizon: Dicynodon assemblage zone, Beaufort beds (S. Africa, Zambia), Upper Kawinga Formation (Tanzania), Upper Permian (Wuchiapingian)

Type locality: Karoo Basin, South Africa; Ruhuhu valley, Tanzania; Middle Luangwa Valley, Zambia.

Classification

Synapsida Therapsida Cynodontia Procynosuchidae

Further Reading

Broom, R., 1937, A Further Contribution to our Knowledge of the Fossil Reptiles of the Karroo: Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1937, series B, p. 299-318.

Kemp, T. S. 1979. The primitive cynodont Procynosuchus: functional anatomy of the skull and relationships. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series B 285:73–122.

Kemp, T. S., 1980. The primitive cynodont Procynosuchus: structure, function, and evolution of the postcranial skeleton. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B 288: 217–258

Synonyms

Parathrinaxodon proops Parrington, 1936; Procynosuchus rubidgei Broom, 1938; Paracynosuchus rubidgei Broom, 1940; Mygalesaurus platyceps Broom, 1942; Leavachia duvenhagei Broom, 1948; Aelurodraco microps Broom & Robinson, 1948; Leavachia microps (Broom & Robinson, 1948); Galophrys kitchingi Broom, 1948; Galecranium liorhynchus Broom, 1948; Galophrys liorhynchus (Broom, 1948); Protocynodon pricei Broom, 1949; Silphedestes polyodon Broom, 1949; Leavachia gracilis Brink & Kitching, 1950; Silphedocynodon gymnotemporalis Brink, 1951; Scalopocynodon gracilis Brink, 1961

Web resources

Cynodonts

Image by Nobu Tamura (click to enlarge)

Procynosuchus delaharpeae: