Phthinosuchus
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| Phthinosuchus Temporal range: Late Permian |
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| Phthinosuchus discors | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Superclass: | Tetrapoda |
| Class: | Synapsida |
| Order: | Therapsida |
| Suborder: | Phthinosuchia |
| Family: | Phthinosuchidae |
| Genus: | Phthinosuchus |
| Species | |
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Phthinosuchus discors |
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Phthinosuchus was a therapsid (mammal-like reptile) that lived in the Late Permian of Russia. Phthinosuchus is the sole member of its family and suborder, although Phthinosaurus may be a relative. Phthinosuchus is one of the most primitive therapsids, and its ancestors must have branched off early from the main therapsid line.
Phthinosuchus looked much like the Sphenacodontids, such as Dimetrodon and Sphenacodon. Its temporal fenestrae were larger than those of the Sphenacodontids.[1] Like the other early therapsids, it was probably scaly skinned, sprawling, and carnivorous.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 189. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
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