GERMAN DIMETRODON

[darren.naish@port.ac.uk]

This just in...

Berman, D. S., Reisz, R. R., Martens, T. and Henrici, A. C. 2001. A 
new species of _Dimetrodon_ (Synapsida: Sphenacodontidae) from the 
Lower Permian of Germany records first occurrence of genus outside 
of North America. _Canadian Journal of Earth Science_ 38, 803-812.

The new species _D. teutonis_ is based on an adult presacral vertebral 
column from the Lower Permian Tambach Fm, Bromacker quarry area 
(much publicised recently because of European _Seymouria_, among 
other things). It's small (estimated at 14 kg) and the smallest 
_Dimetrodon_ species known - Berman et al. discuss the idea that it 
was an upland specialist and that bigger predators couldn't have made a 
living here. 

Ok, so it's not an archosaur, nor is it Mesozoic, but there isn't a basal 
synapsid mailing list.

DARREN NAISH 
PALAEOBIOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
School of Earth & Environmental Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH
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