Dinogorgon

Dinogorgon
Temporal range: Late Permian 259–254 Ma
Holotype skull of D. rubidgei
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Synapsida
Order: Therapsida
Family: Gorgonopsidae
Tribe: Rubidgeini
Genus: Dinogorgon
Broom, 1936
Type species
Dinogorgon rubidgei
Broom, 1936
Synonyms
  • Dinogorgon quinquemolaris
    Huene, 1950
  • Dinogorgon oudebergensis
    Brink & Kitching, 1953
  • Prorubidgea robusta
    Brink & Kitching, 1953
  • Rubidgea quinquemolaris
    Gebauer, 2007
Restoration of D. rubidgei

Dinogorgon ("terrible gorgon") is an extinct genus of rubidgeine gorgonopsian from the Late Permian of South Africa and Tanzania. Dinogorgon was a 2 m (6 ft) long predator that preyed on reptiles and smaller therapsids.[1] It is a member of the tribe Rubidgeini.[2]

Description

Like more derived rubidgeines, Dinogorgon has a number of massive bosses and rugosities on its skull, likely to reduce the stresses caused by struggling prey. Its snout was deep but narrow, similar to Aelurognathus but narrower than Rubidgea and Clelandina. It had 4-5 upper and lower postcanine teeth, which further distinguishes it from Rubidgea.[2]

Classification

Dinogorgon shares many characteristics with Rubidgea and Clelandina, which has led some authors to synonymize them. All three are now considered to be part of the same tribe, Rubidgeini, rather than the same genus.

Below is a cladogram by Kammerer et al. in 2016.[2]

Rubidgeinae


Smilesaurus ferox




Aelurognathus tigriceps




Ruhuhucerberus haughtoni





Sycosaurus laticeps



Sycosaurus nowaki



Rubidgeini


Leontosaurus vanderhosti




Dinogorgon rubidgei




Rubidgea atrox



Clelandina rubidgei









References


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