Chiniquodon

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iChiniquodon
Fossil range: Triassic
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Synapsida
Order: Therapsida
Suborder: Cynodontia
Family: Chiniquodontidae
Genus: Chiniquodon
von Huene, 1936
Species

C. brasilensis
C. sanjuanensis
C. theotonicus

Chiniquodon is a genus of carnivorous "mammal-like reptile", (Therapsid), which lived during the lower Upper Triassic in South America. These animals were up to the size of a dog. This genus seems to be most closely related to a contemporary genus, Probelesodon. In various respects, the anatomy is very mammal-like, though not strongly enough to be viewed as a direct ancestor.
Other contemporaries included early dinosaurs. As both groups filled a similar ecological niche, this might explain the disappearance of fairly large hunters such as Chiniquodon.

Contents

[edit] Chiniquodon brasilensis

  • Place: near Chiniquá, Santa Maria Formation
  • Country: Brazil
  • Age: Carnian, Upper Triassic

Remarks: A dog-sized predator, with a skull-length of about 10 cm. This species may not have been formally published.

[edit] Chiniquodon sanjuanensis

  • Place: Ischigualasto Formation
  • Country: Argentina
  • Age: Carnian (Upper Triassic)

This skull was reassigned to this genus, (in 2002?). It's differentiated from Chiniquodon theotonicus because of its teeth and the shape of the zygomatic process.

[edit] Chiniquodon theotonicus

  • Place: Santa Maria Formation and Chanares Formation
  • Country: Brazil and Argentina
  • Age: Carnian (Upper Triassic)

This species is known from a number of skulls. The holotype is in the paleontological collection at Tübingen University, Germany.

[edit] References and links

  • Martinez and Forster. "The skull of Probelesodon sanjuanensis. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 16. November 1996. Pages 285-291.
  • Von Huene. Die Fossilien Reptilien des südamerikanischen Gondwanalandes an der Zeitenwende (Denwa-Molteno-Unterkeuper = Ober-Karnisch). Ergebnisse der Sauriergrabungen in Südbrasilien 1928/29. (The fossil reptiles of South American Gondwana during the temporal transition) (Denwa-Molteno-Upper Triassic = Upper Carnian). Results of the excavations in South Brazil 1928/29, part II.) 1936. Pages 93-159.
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