Notes on a specimen of Diademodon previously referred to Cyclogomphodon

Abstract

The anterior portion of the cranium of a medium-sized cynodont is described. The specimen was previously described briefly by Brink and Kitching (1953 ), who assigned it to the genus Cyclogomphodon Broom, and it was upon this specimen that they based their rediagnosis of that genus. The detailed study of this specimen has revealed that the supposed features which they considered to be generically distinctive for Cyclogomphodon either do not exist or that their validity falls away when this specimen is considered, in an ontogenetic context, as a not yet fully grown individual. It is concluded that this fossil represents a medium-sized, "juvenile", individual of Diademodon