| Olivierosuchus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Synapsida |
| Clade: | Therapsida |
| Clade: | †Therocephalia |
| Family: | †Akidnognathidae |
| Genus: | †Olivierosuchus Kammerer & Sidor,2002 |
| Species | |
| Synonyms | |
Olivierosuchus is an extinctgenus oftherocephaliantherapsids. It is a member of thefamilyAkidnognathidae. Fossils ofOlivierosuchus have been found from theEarly TriassicLystrosaurus Assemblage Zone inSouth Africa.[1] Unlike other akidnognathids such asMoschorhinus, it has a narrow snout and fewer postcanine teeth. As a distinguishing feature,Olivierosuchus also has a sharp ridge near thechoana, an opening in the skullpalate. Bumps and projections cover thepterygoid, a bone that forms part of the palate.[2]
Olivierosuchus was a top predator of the lowerLystrosaurus Assemblage Zone (LAZ) and lived alongside other large therapsids likeMoschorhinus. The high diversity of akidnognathids in the LAZ suggests that the group recovered quickly from thePermian-Triassic extinction event, a mass extinction in which many other therapsid groups disappeared.[2]
A burrow cast described in 2010 from the LAZ has been attributed toOlivierosuchus or a related therocephalian. The burrow is straight and wide and includes an entry ramp and living chamber. Remains of a juvenileLystrosaurusdicynodont were found in the cast, but the individual was likely too small to dig the burrow. It is possible that the burrow was home to anOlivierosuchus that had stashed the remains of the dicynodont as its prey in the tunnel. Carnivoroustetrapods typically create straight burrows and often store food in them, providing evidence for this interpretation of the South African burrow.[3]
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