Volume 06 July 1959
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Item Palaeontologia africana Volume 6(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1959-07)Item Cranio-osteologlcal studies in Dicynodon grimbeeki with special reference to the sphenethmoid region and cranial kinesis(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1959-07-01) Agnew, John DavidThe skull structure of Dicynodon grimbeeki has been studied by means of serial sections. It was found that D. grimbeeki is akinetic and that, although several mammal-like characteristics are present, Dicynodon occupies a specialized side-branch of therapsid evolution- a view which has been advocated by many authors. The sphenethmoid region in anomodonts is discussed, and it is concluded that the basicranial axis in Dicynodon is comparable with that of mammals.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 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 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 Fossil rhinoceroses from the Limeworks cave, Makapansgat(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1959-07-01) Hooijer, D. A.The rhinoceros remains from Makapansgat consist almost exclusively of milk molars. An investigation of the milk teeth of the two living African rhinoceroses Ceratotherium sinum and Diceros bicornis discloses adequate distinguishing characters on a basis of which both species are recognised to occur in the fossil collection. The white rhinoceros is the more abundant and the teeth appear rather larger than in the living races of C. sinum. The significance of the occurrence only of juvenile individuals is discussed.Item Two new Gorgonopsian skulls(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1959-07-01) Manten, A. A.Two complete and well-preserved skulls are described. One is referred to the species Gorgonops torvus Owen. It gives information on several details that are not clear in the type specimen. The second skull is recognized as a new species of Prorubidgea, and named Prorubidgea brinki.