Reiszorhinus
Encyclopedia
Reiszorhinus is an extinct genus
of Early Permian captorinid
known from the United States
. The type species
is Reiszorhinus olsoni. Fossils have been found from the Waggoner Ranch Formation in north-central Texas
. It is distinguishable by its recurved teeth and extremely large Meckelian foramen
on the inner surface of the lower jaw. It has been considered a primitive member of its family because it has a single tooth along the margins of the jaws. While most single-tooth-rowed captorhinids are small, Reiszorhinus is relatively large. However, Reiszorhinus differs from other large captorhinids in that the cheek region is not wide and expanded.
Reiszorhinus olsoni was first named in 2010. Specimens belonging to the species were previously misidentified as those of the similar captorhinid Labidosaurus hamatus
. Reiszorhinus is one of the most basal captorhinids, along with the genera Romeria
, Concordia
, and Protocaptorhinus
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of Early Permian captorinid
Captorhinidae
Captorhinidae is one of the earliest and most basal reptile families.-Description:...
known from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
is Reiszorhinus olsoni. Fossils have been found from the Waggoner Ranch Formation in north-central Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It is distinguishable by its recurved teeth and extremely large Meckelian foramen
Meckelian groove
The Meckelian groove is an opening in the medial surface of the mandible which exposes the Meckelian cartilage....
on the inner surface of the lower jaw. It has been considered a primitive member of its family because it has a single tooth along the margins of the jaws. While most single-tooth-rowed captorhinids are small, Reiszorhinus is relatively large. However, Reiszorhinus differs from other large captorhinids in that the cheek region is not wide and expanded.
Reiszorhinus olsoni was first named in 2010. Specimens belonging to the species were previously misidentified as those of the similar captorhinid Labidosaurus hamatus
Labidosaurus
Labidosaurus is an extinct genus of anapsid reptile from the Permian period of North America. Fossils have been discovered in Texas.Labidosaurus was heavily built, resembling a lizard with a large head, and measuring about long...
. Reiszorhinus is one of the most basal captorhinids, along with the genera Romeria
Romeria
A Romería in Spanish or "Romaria" in Portuguese is a religious pilgrimage. The word "Romería"/"Romaria" comes from "romero"/"romeiro", meaning those travelling towards Rome. It is a Catholic celebration that consists of a trip or peregrination that ends at a sanctuary or hermitage...
, Concordia
Concordia (genus)
Concordia is an extinct genus of Late Carboniferous captorinid known from Greenwood County, Kansas of the United States.-Description:Concordia is known from the holotype KUVP 8702a&b, well preserved skull in dorsal view along with its counterpart, a partial preserved braincase in ventral view,...
, and Protocaptorhinus
Protocaptorhinus
Protocaptorhinus is an extinct genus of Early Permian known from Texas of the United States. It is known from the holotype MCZ 1478, a three-dimensionally preserved partial skull. It was collected in the Rattlesnake Canyon site from the Petrolia Formation...
.