The Dicynodonts A Study in Palaeobiology

About this book

The Dicynodonts were an important group of Permo-Triassic reptiles, and were the first really successful herbivorous tetrapods. They also provided the bulk of the prey species for the ecosystem in which the mammals evolved. This is a detailed study of the abundant fossil record for this group, and its importance in understanding not only their own evolution but that of the mammals as well.
`... a clear, well-organised synoptic review with the minimum of unnecessary information ... I only wish most fossil groups were so well reviewed.' Michael Taylor, New Scientist.

Contents

Introducing dicynodonts; dicynodont organization - the head, the body; origins and early forms - Venjukovioid functional anatomy, the dromasaurs; typical dicynodonts: tapinocephalus zone dicynodonts - eodicynodon, diictodon, robertia, emydrops, pristerodon, cheldontops, other tapinocephalus zone forms; the environment of the tapinocephalus zone; dicynodont diversity: dicynodonts of the cistecephalus zone; the four main genera; some digging forms; the aulacephalodontinae - broad-headed forms; endothiodon; rhachiocephalus; myosauroides; other cistecephalus zone forms; conditions in cistecephalus zone times - South Africa; Dicynodont decline: dicynodonts of the daptocephalus zone; conditions in daptocephalus zone times; the lystrosaurus zone; dicynodonts of the lystrosaurus zone; lystrosaurus, myosaurus, conditions in lystrosaurus zone times; dicynodont mid-life crisis; the last dicynodonts - post-lystrosaurus zone dicynodonts; late Spathian (early Triassic), early Anisian (middle Triassic), middle Anisian (middle Triassic), late Ladinian (middle Traissic), early Norian (late Triassic) dicynodonts, conditions during the middle and late Triassic. An overall view: the daily life of a dicynodont; long-term developments of dicynodonts; diversity changes through time, diversity changes in space.

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