Bolosaurus striatus Cope, 1878
Parareptilia
Procolophonomorpha
Bolosauridae
Early Permian
Admiral Fm, Wichita Gr (Artinskian)
Texas, US
Length: ? 15 cm
Bolosaurus striatus is only known from a crushed skull and a few vertebrae. The other species of Bolosaurus ("lump toothed lizard") are known from jaw fragments only. This is a rather enigmatic early Permian parareptilian that probably had a worldwide distribution (Remains are from Texas, Oklahoma and Russia). Its closest relatives are Belebey from Russia and Eudibamus from Germany, the latter known to be the oldest tetrapod capable to run bipedally. The bolosaurids had heterodont dentition indicating a specialized probably herbivorous diet.
June 3, 2017
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