Bringing Dicynodonts Back to Life: Paleobiology and Anatomy of a New Emydopoid Genus from the Upper Permian of Mozambique

摘要: Dicynodontia represent the most diverse tetrapod group during Late Permian. They survived Permo-Triassic extinction and are central to understanding terrestrial ecosystems. Although extensively studied, several aspects of dicynodont paleobiology such as, neuroanatomy, inner ear morphology internal cranial anatomy remain obscure. Here we describe a new (Therapsida, Anomodontia) from northern Mozambique: Niassodon mfumukasi gen. et sp. nov. The holotype ML1620 was collected Permian K5 formation, Metangula Graben, Niassa Province Mozambique, an almost completely unexplored basin country for vertebrate paleontology. Synchrotron radiation based micro-computed tomography (SRµCT), combined with phylogenetic analysis, demonstrates set characters shared Emydopoidea. All individual bones were digitally segmented allowing 3D visualization each element. In addition, reconstructed osseous labyrinth, endocast, nerves vasculature. brain is narrow cerebellum broader than forebrain, resembling conservative, “reptilian-grade” other non-mammalian therapsids, but enlarged paraflocculi occupy same relative volume as in birds. orientation horizontal semicircular canals indicates slightly more dorsally tilted head posture previously assumed dicynodonts. synchrotron data shows secondary center ossification femur. Thus represents, our knowledge, oldest fossil evidence ossification, pushing back evolutionary origins this feature. fact that specimen represents species fauna east Africa still incompletely known.