THE MODE OF LIFE OF GORGONOPSIANS
Date
1973
Authors
Cruickshank, A. R. I.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BERNARD PRICE INSTITUTE FOR PALAEONTOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Abstract
The gorgonopsians as typically developed were
undoubtedly the dominant land carnivores of the
Upper Permian and have been compared with the
sabre-tooth cats of the Tertiary (Parrington, 1955,
p. 7 and Kemp, 1969b, p. 321). However, the
similarities between the two groups are almost
entirely confined to their dentitions and the
general proportions of their lower jaws, both
possessing greatly enlarged canine teeth and
relatively weak coronoid processes on the lower
jaw. In addition, both groups show adaptations to
allow the lower jaw to make a wide gape, thus
allowing the upper and lower canines to clear each
other when the jaw is opened and, at the same
time, keeping the jaw articulations from dislocating
during this movement.