Do specimens attributed to Lystrosaurus murrayi and L. declivis (Triassic Therapsida) represent one species?

Lystrosaurus murrayi and L. declivis are two dicynodont (Therapsida, or mammal-like reptile) species commonly represented in Triassic deposits which are referred to as the ‘Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zone’ of the South African Karoo, postdating the Permo-Triassic boundary at 252 million years ago. The...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:South African Journal of Science 2018-03, Vol.114 (3-4), p.8-9
Main Author: Thackeray, J. Francis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Australopithecus
Australopithecus africanus
Boundaries
Conspecific
Dicynodont
Holotypes
Homo habilis
Huxley, Thomas Henry (1825-1895)
Hypotheses
Lasioglossum declivis
Lystrosaurus
Museums
Ontogeny
Reptiles
Reptiles & amphibians
Reptilia
Sexual dimorphism
Skull
Species
Taxonomy
Therapsid
Triassic
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Description
Summary:Lystrosaurus murrayi and L. declivis are two dicynodont (Therapsida, or mammal-like reptile) species commonly represented in Triassic deposits which are referred to as the ‘Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zone’ of the South African Karoo, postdating the Permo-Triassic boundary at 252 million years ago. The holotypes of these two species are curated in the Natural History Museum in London. Unfortunately, both are fragmentary (personal observation). Despite the fragmentary condition of the holotypes, Cluver, Cluver and King and Brink accepted the view that at least two species of Lystrosaurus (L. murrayi and L. declivis) could be distinguished.
ISSN:0038-2353
1996-7489
DOI:10.17159/sajs.2018/a0258