Chiniquodon
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| Chiniquodon Fossil range: Triassic |
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C. brasilensis |
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.
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[edit] Chiniquodon brasilensis
- Place: The Paleontological Site 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.
