Myosaurus

Myosaurus
Temporal range: Early Triassic 251-247 MA
Restoration of Myosaurus gracilis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Synapsida
Clade: Therapsida
Suborder: Anomodontia
Clade: Dicynodontia
Family: Myosauridae
Kitching, 1968
Genus: Myosaurus
Haughton, 1917
Type species
M. gracilis
Haughton, 1917

Myosaurus (Greek for “mice-like lizard,” with mys- meaning mouse, and -sauros meaning lizard) is a genus of dicynodont synapsids.[1] Myosaurus was a small, herbivorous synapsid that existed around the early Triassic period. All of the fossils found of this species were found in Antarctica and South Africa.[1] Compared to other fossils found from species that existed during this time, the Myosaurus is not common in the fossil record. This is due to a shortage of discovered fossils that possess characteristics unique to the Myosaurus. Notably, under 130 fossil fragments have been found that have been classified as Myosauridae, and almost all have been skulls.[1] These skulls can be classified as Myosaurus because this species, unlike other dicynodonts, do not possess tusks or postfrontal teeth.[1] The only species identified in the family Myosauridae is the Myosaurus gracilis, or M. gracilis. It should be recognized that the Myosaurus is almost always referred to as the M. gracilis in scientific research.

  1. ^ a b c d Hammer, W. R., & Cosgriff, J. W. 1981. Myosaurus gracilis, an anomodont reptile from the Lower Triassic of Antarctica and South Africa. Journal of Paleontology 410-424.