Procynosuchus

Live reconstruction of Procynosuchus delaharpeae from the Upper Permian of South Africa

• Southern Africa
• Europe

Procynosuchus (gr. "Pre- dogs crocodile " ) is a genus within the original Therapsid Cynodontia. Fossils of this " mammal -like reptile " were found in the Central and Upper Permian ( 270-251 mya ) in South Africa, Zambia, and in the north Hessian Korbacher column (" Korbacher Dachshund ").

Procynosuchus was about 60 inches long and pointed, unlike other therapsids adaptations to life in water, in particular an exceptionally movable rear body with side lintelled tail, which probably similar to that allowed for a swim with crocodiles or otters. It is therefore assumed that Procynosuchus similar to this semi- aquatic animals lived and fed on fish or other aquatic animals.

Swell

• Douglas Palmer: Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Animals - An illustrated encyclopedia Könemann, Cologne 2000 ISBN 3829061137. .
• TSKemp: The Primitive Cynodont Procynosuchus: Structure, Function and Evolution of the postcranial skeleton Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, vol 288, no. 1027. (Jan. 7, 1980), pp. 217-258.