Browsing by Author "Brink, A. S."
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Item A new gomphodont cynodont from the Cynognathus zone of South Africa(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1965-12) Brink, A. S.This paper describes a somewhat peculiar new gomphodont cynodont from Cynognathus-zone beds of the Karroo System of South Africa. It is a fairly good skull, with lower jaw in position, but lacking the anterior portion of the snout. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that while the posterior portion of the dentary is powerfully expanded in true gomphodont style, the zygomatic arch is very weakly developed, unlike the condition in any of its other cynodont contemporaries. It is described as a new genus and species, Cragievarus kitchingi, generically after the locality Cragievar and specifically after its collector, Mr J. W. Kitching.Item A new Ictidosuchid (Scaloposauria) from the Lystrosaurus-zone(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1965-12) Brink, A. S.This paper describes a specimen recently discovered in Lystrosaurus-zone strata in the Bergville district of Natal. While a contemporary of Scaloposaurus, it has retained much of the general structure of the earlier lctidosuchidae of the Cistecephalus-zone and in a few minor respects it shows affinity with the Therocephalia, beyond the characteristics of the infra-order. The specimen consists of a good skull with lower jaw, the whole pectoral girdle with the right fore limb, and a length of anterior vertebral column with ribs; these are figured as preserved. The skull is additionally figured in three views with distortion corrected. The specimen is identified as a new genus and species, belonging to the family lctidosuchidae of the infra-order Scaloposauria, and the name Olivieria parringtoni is proposed.Item A new large Bauriamorph from the Cynognathus-zone of South Africa(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1965-12) Brink, A. S.The specimen forming the subject of this paper is the anterior two-thirds of a very large Bauria skull. It is described as a new species, Bauria robusta. It is pointed out that the skull is perhaps as much as 20 per cent larger than the largest known specimen of Bauria cynops, which in turn is about 15 per cent larger than the average of all other known specimens of the genotype. Many of the measurements are derived from reconstructed figures and if these measurements should prove to be less, the new skull would undoubtedly prove to be proportionally different, in which case its recognition as a new species would be more substantial. The features on which the specimen can at present be recognised as a new species are size, the greater number of cheek teeth (11 as compared with 9 in B. cynops), the weaker canines and the absence of an interpterygoid vacuity.Item A new skull of the procynosuchid Cynodont Leavachia duvenhagei Broom(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1963-08-01) Brink, A. S.This paper describes one of the most excellent, complete, virtually undamaged and undistorted skulls of a Karroo therapsid yet found. It is of exactly the same size as the type specimen of Leavachia duvenhagei Broom, housed in the Rubidge Collection. Nearly every detail of the structure of the skull can be traced, except structures on the inside of the cranial cavities and details obscured by the lower jaw which is in good occlusion. It is the third specimen of this species on record and this description renders it the best known specimen of all procynosuchid species. It is pointed out that the genera Leavachia and Procynosuchus are not readily distinguishable, but this may be due to lack of knowledge of the latter genus.Item A new small Thecodont from the Red beds of the Stormberg series(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1959-07-01) Brink, A. S.This paper describes a new form of Thecodont, apparently Ornithosuchid, from the Stormberg series of the Karroo system of South Africa. The description is based on the anterior two thirds of a very small skull, the total length being approximately 30 mm. Preservation is not satisfactory enough to permit an accurate evaluation of its true relationship. It is recognised as a new genus and species: Clarencea gracilis.Item A new type of primitive Cynodont(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1961-08-01) Brink, A. S.A very interesting ancestral type of Cynodont is described in reasonable detail from serial sections, graphical figures, and a complete wax model, four times natural size. The form is recognised as a new genus and species, for which the name Scalopocynodon gracilis is proposed. It is the earliest true Cynodont, from the base of the lower Cistecephalus-zone. Although its nearest allies are the somewhat later Silphedestids and Procynosuchids, it has unmistakably very close affinity with the base of the Ictidosuchid-Scloposaurid branch of the Therocephalians. Thus new light is cast on the origin of the Cynodonts and their general relationship with the Therocephalia. The specimen was thought to be a Scaloposaurus before it was decided to subject it to serial grinding.Item Note on a new skeleton of Thrinaxodon Liorhinus(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1959-07-01) Brink, A. S.This is a short paper presenting two figures of a Thrinaxodon liorhinus skeleton, which is peculiarly curled as though the animal died under peaceful circumstances. An attempt is made to find an explanation for this peculiar attitude, but a more interesting aspect about the specimen is that it demonstrates the absence of any adverse influence which the overlapping processes of the ribs had on the general flexibility of the vertebral column.Item Note on a very tiny specimen of Thrinaxodon liorhinus(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1955) Brink, A. S.This paper describes a specimen of Thrinaxodon liorhinus, evidently a mature female, with a very tiny specimen closely associated with it in the same nodule. Attention is largely given to tooth replacement. The conclusion arrived at is that Thrinaxodon has not yet reached that stage in evolution where light is thrown on the development of the typical mammalian arrangement of dental succession.Item Notes on some new Diademodon specimens in the collection of the Bernard Price Institute(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1963-08-01) Brink, A. S.Seven Diademodon specimens are dealt with and all are reasonably adequately figured. These comprise a large D. mastacus specimen already featured in publication; a complete skull of D. grossarthi; an interesting snout of D.haunhtoni; and four immature D.browni specimens of various ages and sizes. The latter form part of about eight similar individuals found in an area some two yards square and could be the litter of a single Diademodon family. Attention is focused on the snouts and the peculiar nature of the external nares.Item Notes on some Whaitsiids and Moschorhinids(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1959-07-01) Brink, A. S.This paper contains descriptions of five genera. The first is a redescription of the type specimen of Notosollasia boonstrai, which has been additionally cleaned since it was first introduced. It has, lodged in its "throat", the crushed skull of a "Dicynodon" and circumstances indicate that the Notosollasia died while devouring its prey. The second specimen is recognised as perhaps representing the doubtful genus Notaelurops. It was earlier identified as a small Notosollasia longiceps. The third specimen is not a Whaitsiid, but being a contemporary form with some vague affinities to Moschorhinus, it is taken into consideration. It is named Hewittia albanensis gen. et sp. nov. A snout of Moschorhinus kitchingi, also mentioned in a previous publication, is redescribed and figured. The fifth specimen is a beautiful and complete skull of a new species, Moschorhinus natalensis, the first specimen of this genus that has the whole of the posterior half of the skull preserved and it is peculiar in that it dates from the Lystrosaurus-zone. An interesting new arrangement in the replacement of the canines in this family is analysed.Item On Bauria cynops Broom(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1963-08-01) Brink, A. S.Descriptions of this genus and species, the type of an infraorder, have thus far been based on three individuals. The type in the South African Museum, Cape Town is a complete skull, but somewhat unsatisfactorily preserved and cleaned. The second specimen in the American Museum of Natural History, New York, is a good skull with a portion of the skeleton, but the skull has been damaged in the course of preparation. The third specimen is in the Bernard Price Institute. It is an exceptionally fine specimen, but was only superficially cleaned when described. This specimen also includes a portion of the skeleton. Two additional complete skulls, one somewhat crushed, have since been added to the Bernard Price Institute's collection. This paper describes Bauria cynops Broom on information derived from all five specimens. Illustrations are based on the three specimens in this Institute. Attention is also given to the position of this infraorder relative to other related groups.Item On Nanoparia Broom(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1955) Brink, A. S.New information on the types of Nanoparia pricei and Nanoparia luckhoffi are given in this paper. Differences between the two species recognised previously are disputed and a number of different distinguishing characteristics is suggested. The new information could be revealed as a result of further development of the specimens. The type of N. pricei includes a portion of the skeleton, developed after the skull was described. This portion reveals an interesting arrangement of dermal scutes.Item On the Cynognathidae(1955) Brink, A. S.In this paper attention is drawn to the fact that the family Cynognathidae is as a whole very badly known and in need of taxonomic revision. Unfortunately the author had too little material available to attempt a proper revision, but some suggestions are made. The paper starts with a brief historical account and continues with descriptions of a lower jaw of a Cynognathid, evidently belonging to the genus Lycaenognathus. This specimen belongs to the Bernard Price Institute. Attention is further drawn to the complete absence of convincing characteristics for distinguishing between the genera Cynognathus and Cynidiognathus, but they are nevertheless acknowledged as distinct genera. Four specimens are described as Cynidiognathus merenskyi , one of which belongs to the Bernard Price Institute and the other three to the National Museum, Bloemfontein.Item On the skeleton of Aneugomphius ictidoceps Broom and Robinson(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1958-06-01) Brink, A. S.The skeleton of Aneugomphius ictidoceps was not taken into consideration with the original description and became separated from the type skull. After the present author had submitted a more detailed description of the type skull for publication, the skeleton was discovered where it had been kept in store. Subsequently the skeleton was cleaned and is described and figured in this paper. A dorsal and a side view of the reconstructed skeleton are also given.Item On two new specimens of Lystrosaurus-zone cynodonts(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1965-12) Brink, A. S.In this paper the skulls of two new specimens of Lystrosaurus-zone cynodonts are described. One is a skull of Notictosaurus luckhoffi Broom, and it is pointed out that the other two species, N. gracilis and N. trigonocephalus, are respectively the young and the adult of the genotype. N. gracilis was described on only one small skull amongst more than three skulls and skeletons intimately associated in one block with the skull and skeleton of the adult, only the skull of which was subsequently described as N. trigonocephalus. At the time of description this block was in different fragments and the authors of the new species were not conscious of their association. The second new specimen is a close ally, but different enough to be recognised as a separate genus. While it cannot satisfactorily be contrasted with Cynosuchoides whaitsi, it is identified and described as belonging to this genus and species. Our knowledge thus far of this form is based on one imperfectly preserved skull.Item Speculations on some advanced mammalian characteristics in the higher mammal-like reptiles(The Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1957) Brink, A. S.This paper deals with a number of skeletal characters of the higher mammal-like reptiles from which inferences may be drawn regarding soft anatomical and physiological features. Although these characters, when evaluated individually, do not indicate conclusively the exact proximity of these animals to truly mammalian conditions, the collective evidence and mutual support which they afford suggest that enlightening progress can be made towards establishing the following: the significance of the mammalian single dental succession, secondary palate, ethmoturbinals, as related to a high constant blood temperature; the latter's relationship, in turn, to hair and sweat glands; the origin of milk glands; and the mode and significance of mammalian birth. These considerations throw some instructive light on the origin of mammals.Item Struthiocephalus kitchingi sp. nov.(1958-06-01) Brink, A. S.In this paper a new species of the Tapinocephalid Dinocephalian Struthiocephalus (S. kitchingi) is described, based on a good skull without lower jaw, adding not only to our knowledge of the structure of the skull of this genus, but also exhibiting more pronounced features on the strength of which some idea may be formed regarding the mode of living of the animal. This specimen differs appreciably from the known species, S. whaitsi, S. rheederi, S. milleri, and S. akraalensis, but where some of the differences appear even to transgress the generic boundary, it is considered that previous descriptions are not based on absolutely perfect material. Even the present specimen does not exhibit its structural detail so clearly that a wrong interpretation should be considered as excluded.Item Two Cynodonts from the Ntawere formation in the Luangwa valley of Northern Rhodesia(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1963-08-01) Brink, A. S.Two Cynodonts, Diademodon rhodesiensis sp. nov. and Luangwa drysdalli gen. et sp. nov., are described in this paper. In structure both forms indicate that the Ntawere Formation in the upper Luangwa valley of Northern Rhodesia from which they were collected can be regarded as very late Cynognathus-zone, perhaps mostly Molteno, compared with the South African succession, or of the same age as the Manda Beds of the more nearby Ruhuhu valley of Tanganyika. The Diademodon specimen is very similar to its South African relatives, but in some details it is more advanced. The new genus Luangwa has its closest ally in the Ruhuhu form Scalenodon.