Palaeontologia africana
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ISSN (print): 0078-8554
ISSN (electronic): 2410-4418
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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 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 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 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 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 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 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.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.