
Thrinaxodon
Thrinaxodon liorhinus
Resurrected on:
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Genus information
Thrinaxodon is a genus of cynodont that lived in Africa and Antarctica during the Lower Triassic epoch. Cynodonts belong to a group, called stem mammals and are thought to be the ancestors of all mammals. Thrinaxodon lived just after the Permian - Triassic mass extinction event and its ancestors probably survived by their burrowing habits. It probably fed on small reptiles and invertebrates.
Family:
Distribution:
Epoch:
Thrinaxodontidae
Africa and Antarctica
Lower Triassic
Species information
The genus of Thrinaxodon contains a single species, T. liorhinus. Fossils of Thrinaxodon have been found in South Africa and Antarctica. It had roughly the size of a fox, had a slender and long body and short legs. Thrinaxodon is also famous for the fossilized burrow that was found in 2013, containing a complete specimen alongside a complete specimen of Broomistega, a primitive amphibian.
Species:
Paleontologist:
Distribution:
Epoch:
Thrinaxodon liorhinus
Seeley, 1894
Africa and Antarctica
Lower Triassic
Length:
Height:
Weight:
50 cm
20 cm
10 kg
Reference:
Fernandez, V., Abdala, F., Carlson, K. J., Rubidge, B. S., Yates, A., & Tafforeau, P. (2013). Synchrotron reveals Early Triassic odd couple: injured amphibian and aestivating therapsid share burrow. PLoS One, 8(6), e64978.

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