Heterodontosuchus

Heterodontosuchus
Temporal range: Late Triassic
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Phytosauria
Family: Phytosauridae
Subfamily: Pseudopalatinae
Genus: Heterodontosuchus
Lucas, 1898
Species
  • H. ganei Lucas, 1898 (type)

Heterodontosuchus is a dubious genus of extinct phytosaur. The genus was first described from a fragmentary anterior section of the mandible found from the Henry Mountains in southeastern Utah, USA. More fossils were later found from Arizona.[1] The name Heterodontosuchus refers to the difference in size between anterior and posterior teeth on this mandible.[2] The teeth were compressed antero-posteriorly spaced closely together.[3] The genus is now thought to be synonymous with Nicrosaurus, and the type and only species, H. ganei, is regarded as a nomen dubium due the fragmentary nature of the remains associated with it.

References

  1. von Huene, F. R. (1917). Notes on the age of the continental Triassic beds in North America with remarks on some fossil vertebrates. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 69(2644):1-10.
  2. Lucas, F. A. (1898). Heterodontosuchus ganei. American Journal of Science 4(6):399
  3. Lees, J. H. (1907). The skull of Paleorhinus, a Wyoming phytosaur. Journal of Geology 15:121-151.


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