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Planocephalosaurus

Planocephalosaurus
Temporal range: Late Triassic
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Sphenodontia
Family: Sphenodontidae
Genus: Planocephalosaurus
Fraser, 1982
Species
  • P. robinsonaeFraser, 1982

Planocephalosaurus is an extinct genus of rhynchocephalian.

Planocephalosaurus was one of the first sphenodonts and bore a strong resemblance to the extant tuatara, albeit much smaller, at only 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length. The creature is presumed to have fed on large invertebrates and small vertebrates.

"Planocephalosaurus" exhibits very interesting dentition. Initially, it was believed to have been attached to the bone via acrodont tooth implantation, however, after this specimen was exposed to X-radiography it was determined that this animal has a combination of different tooth implantation types. Similar to another rhynchocephalian, Diphydontosaurus, it possesses acrodont teeth in the posterior portion of the jaw, and pleurodont dentition in the anterior portion.Planocephalosaurus's teeth were also fused with the cartilage, unlike its only extant relative the tuatara.



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