Thrinaxodon

Live reconstruction of Thrinaxodon liorhinus.

• Southern Africa
• South Africa
• Antarctic

Thrinaxodon is a genus of extinct therapsids, which lived during the Middle Triassic before 245-230 million years ago. Fossil remains the only known way Thrinaxodon liorhinus was found in South Africa in the same formation in the well Lystrosaurus was found and in Antarctica.

Thrinaxodon was a carnivore and was about half a meter long, the legs were already under the body and the tail was rather short. It is one of the original Cynodontiern ( Cynodontia ), a group of mammal-like reptiles and mammals was so pretty close. The animals were small carnivores with sharp teeth. They had powerful hind legs, indicating that they were fast runners. On the skulls of small pits have been discovered that indicate whiskers. This is seen as evidence that Thrinaxodon had a coat.

The thoracic region was clearly separated from the lumbar region, the animal thus had obviously a diaphragm, which enabled rapid breathing in and out, which simplified the regulation of body temperature. It also had a secondary mouth roof, making it able to breathe and chew at the same time. Compared to its ancestors was the dental, reptiles one of several bones of the lower jaw ( mandible ), enlarged and wore all the teeth.