''Brithopus'' is an extinct genus of dinocephalian therapsids. It contains a single species, ''Brithopus priscus'', known from fragmentary remains found in the Copper Sandstones near Isheevo, Russia.

Description

''Brithopus'' was fairly large, reaching a length of 2.5–3 m (8–10 ft). The skull was similar to ''Titanophoneus'', but more massive and heavily built.Olson, E.C. (1962). "Lopingian, Late Permian terrestrial vertebrates, U.S.A. and U.S.S.R." ''Transactions of the American Philosophical Society'', New Series, 52: 1–224.

Classification

''B. priscus'' was first named in 1838 and was traditionally classified in the Anteosauria, a group of carnivorous dinocephalians. ''Brithopus'' served as the basis for the family Brithopodidae, which once included many anteosaurian species. Because it is based on fragmentary material, ''Brithopus'' is regarded as a ''nomen dubium'' by some researchers. ''Brithopus'' was later considered a possible estemmenosuchid,Kammerer, C. F. 2010. Systematics of the Anteosauria (Therapsida: Dinocephalia). ''Journal of Systematic Palaeontology'', 9, 261-304. a type of herbivorous tapinocephalian therapsid. ''Dinosaurus'' and ''Eurosaurus'' have both been considered synonyms of ''Brithopus''.Battail, B., and Surkov, M. V. (2000). "Mammal-like reptiles from Russia." ''The Age of Dinosaurs in Russia and Mongolia'', 86-119.

References

External links

Message to the Dinosaur Mailing List briefly detailing the history of the name
Tapinocephalia Prehistoric therapsid genera Monotypic prehistoric animal genera Fossils of Russia Fossil taxa described in 1838 {{Paleo-Therapsid-stub

Description

Classification

See also

References

External links