A new bauriamorph from the Omingonde Formation (Middle Triassic) of South West Africa
Date
1978
Authors
Keyser, A. W.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research
Abstract
A new genus and species of bauriamorph therapsid from the Anisian Omingonde Formation
(Middle Triassic) of South West Africa is described as Herpetogale marsupialis gen. et sp. nov.
This new form is chronologically the latest known member of the therocephalian lineage. It is in
many ways more advanced than Bauria, but it also displays a number of more primitive features .
It is advanced in its reduced postcanine series, slightly larger secondary palate, smaller suborbital
fossae, and more pronounced coronoid processes of the dentaries, displaying laterally very
distinct fossae maJsetericae. A very distinct crista IacialiJ is developed in front of the orbit. Primitive
features are the presence of a pineal foramen and complete postorbital bars. Conspicuous and
no doubt specialised are the pronounced "cheek cavities" well demarcated above by maxillary
overhangs and below by shelf-like expansions on the dentaries. This arrangement suggests "cheek
pouches" for food storage reminiscent of a habit in modem primates and certain rodents. The skull is complete, very little distorted or damaged, with lower jaw in occlusion. Besides an account
of the cranial morphology, attention is also given to jaw musculature and the taxonomic
position of the Bauriamorpha.
Description
Abstract of paper presented at Karoo Symposium
Keywords
Bauriamorpha; Triassic; Africa; Therocephalia
Citation
None