Procolophon

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Procolophon Fossil range: Late Permian-Late Triassic
Procolophon pricei from the Early Triassic of South Africa
Conservation status
Extinct (fossil)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Sauropsida Order: Procolophonomorpha Family: Procolophonidae Genus: Procolophon Species: P. pricei P. trigoniceps

Procolophon were a genus of lizard shaped reptiles with at least 8 species that persisted through the Permian-Triassic extinction event, only to die out in the early stage in the evolution of the Dinosaurs.

The skull was solid but some species did evolve the fenestrae in the skull independently of other reptile. There was one backward facing check spikes, but its function is debated, may have deen for muscle attachment. Eyes were large and may have had acute day or night vision. With the teeth being peg like and sutable for crushing of plant matter. The front of the skull was short and blunt with the nasal opening very close to the mouth.

The vertebrae was robust with a rounded rib cage composed of many small weak ribs. Legs were short, thickly built with short phalanges, this suggests an animal who burrowed and did not run fast.

[edit] References

• Skull of P. pricei.
• Cast of the skull from South Africa.
• The Triassic reptile Procolophon in Antarctica.
• (German)Artistic impression
• Upper skull
• Scientific evaluation for the genus.
• D.Lambert, D.Naish and E.Wyse 2001, "Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and prehistoric life", p. 76, Dorling Kindersley Limited, London. ISBN 0-7513-0955-9