Estemmenosuchus uralensis

Taxobox
name = "Estemmenosuchus uralensis"
fossil_range = Wordian

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image_width = 250px
image_caption = Life restoration of "Estemmenosuchus uralensis"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
subphylum = Vertebrata
superclassis = Tetrapoda
classis = Synapsida
ordo = Therapsida
subordo = Dinocephalia
familia = Estemmenosuchidae
genus = "Estemmenosuchus"
species = "E. uralensis"
binomial = "Estemmenosuchus uralensis"
binomial_authority = Tchudinov, 1960

"Estemmenosuchus uralensis" ("Crowned Crocodile of the Ural Mountains") was a large herbivorous dinocephalian therapsid from Ocher in the Perm region or Russia, 255 million years ago. It is sometimes called the crowned crocodile. It is the second most primitive therapsid after the Biarmosuchia. The species was found with the Biarmosuchians "Eotitanosuchus olsoni" and "Biarmosuchus tener" and with a related species "Estemmenosuchus mirabilis" in channel flood deposits of the young Ural Mountains.

The characteristics of the species are the horns projecting upwards and outwards on the side of the head. The mouth contained Large canines followed by small molar teeth. The animal had a sprawling posture as the analysis of the shoulder joints.

It has been suggested that the animal was warm blooded, as its large size (4-5 metres long) and small surface area could have been used like warm blooded mammal. But other scientist believe it is cold blooded like reptiles today. It has been Also suggested that it was also a carnivore, but the consensus of views is that "Estimemosuchus" was a herbivore.

References

* Rich, Pat Vickers, and Thomas H. V. Rich, "The Great Russian Dinosaurs", Guntar Graphics, 1993, p. 29.

Further reading

* Dixon, Dougal. Prehistoric World. Early Life. Hauppauge, N.Y.: Barron's, 2006. ISBN 9780764134821

External links

* [http://www.infohub.com/forums/printthread.php?t=4226 Forum information]
* [http://www.kheper.net/evolution/therapsida/Estemmenosuchidae.html Skeletal analysis]
* [http://www.palaeos.com/Paleozoic/Permian/Wordian.htm The Biarmosuchian - Estemennosuchian Terrestrial empire]
* [http://www.palaeos.com/Vertebrates/Units/400Therapsida/300.html#Estemmenosuchus Palaeos] - technical description