On the Cynognathidae

Abstract

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.