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Article: New information on the morphology and stratigraphic range of the mid-Permian gorgonopsian Eriphostoma microdon Broom, 1911

Papers in Palaeontology - Vol. 1 Part 2 - Cover Image
Publication: Papers in Palaeontology
Volume: 1
Part: 2
Publication Date: May 2015
Page(s): 201 221
Author(s): Christian F. Kammerer, Roger M. H. Smith, Michael O. Day and Bruce S. Rubidge
DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1012
Addition Information

How to Cite

KAMMERER, C.F., SMITH, R.M.H., DAY, M.O., RUBIDGE. 2015. New information on the morphology and stratigraphic range of the mid-Permian gorgonopsian Eriphostoma microdon Broom, 1911. Papers in Palaeontology, 1, 2, 201-221.

Author Information

  • Christian F. Kammerer - Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany (email: christian.kammerer@mfn-berlin.de)
  • Roger M. H. Smith - Iziko South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa (email: rsmith@iziko.org.za)
  • Roger M. H. Smith - Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Michael O. Day - Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa (email: Michael.Day@wits.ac.za)
  • Bruce S. Rubidge - Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa (email: Bruce.Rubidge@wits.ac.za)

Publication History

  • Issue published online: 15 MAY 2015
  • Article first published online: 16 FEB 2015
  • Manuscript Accepted: 9 DEC 2014
  • Manuscript Received: 8 SEP 2014

Funded By

National Science Foundation (USA). Grant Number: DDIG DEB 0608415
Gerstner-Kalbfleisch fellowship at the American Museum of Natural History and Richard Gilder Graduate School and a Sofja Kovalevskaja award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (donated by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research)
National Research Foundation's African Origins Platform
National Research Foundation's African Origins Platform, Palaeontological Scientific Trust and its Scatterlings of Africa programmes
DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences (CoE in Palaeosciences)

Online Version Hosted By

Wiley Online Library
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Abstract

New specimens of the oldest gorgonopsian taxon Eriphostoma microdon from the Pristerognathus Assemblage Zone (AZ) of South Africa significantly improve our understanding of the anatomy of this taxon. The new specimens consist of nearly complete skulls and lower jaws and allow for a more complete diagnosis of Eriphostoma than was possible based on the poorly preserved holotype. In addition to the characteristic palatal dentition and delta-shaped palatine bosses previously recognized for Eriphostoma, this taxon can be diagnosed by the presence of three close-packed upper postcanines occupying an indented margin of the maxilla, a large, tetragonal-to-rounded preparietal bone, and large, paired interorbital depressions expanding outwards in front of the pineal boss. The revised diagnosis permits Eoarctops vanderbyli, Galesuchus gracilis, and Scylacognathus parvus to be synonymized with Eriphostoma microdon, as previously suspected. Among gorgonopsians, Eriphostoma is most similar to Aelurosaurus and Gorgonops, although these similarities are likely plesiomorphic for Gorgonopsia. Eriphostoma ranges from the Tapinocephalus AZ (where it is the only valid gorgonopsian known from the Karoo Basin) through the Pristerognathus AZ (where it co-occurs with Gorgonops).

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