Procolophonid
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 Procolophon pricei from the Early Triassic of South Africa
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The Procolophonids - family Procolophonidae (Superfamily Procolophonoidea)- are a group of small reptiles. Skulls have been discovered, roughly 5 cm in diameter.
They were shaped like chunky (stocky) lizards, with broad-cheeked skulls. Their cheeks sported a stout backward-pointing spike. Hypsognathus, from North America, had many cheek spikes. Procolophon, the genus after which the group was named, is unusual.
The position of the Procolophonidae in the reptilian family tree has long been controverted. Their skulls resemble the turtles', sharing a posttemporal fenestra. Accordingly they have historically been classed alongside the turtles under the Anapsida. However the turtles have since been reclassed among the diapsids.
Up to the early Triassic, their teeth were sharp, indicating an insectivorous diet. Later in the Triassic their teeth were broader, indicating a switch to herbivorous.
They became extinct in the Triassic extinction.
[edit] References / Links
- Introduction to Procolophonoidea
- Lambert, David (2001). Dinosaur Encyclopedia. Dorling Kindersley, New York, New York. 72.
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