Kingdom Animalia Family Sphenodontidae Rank Genus | Class Sauropsida Phylum Chordata Order Rhynchocephalia | |
Similar Diphydontosaurus, Rhynchocephalia, Gephyrosaurus, Palaeopleurosaurus, Brachyrhinodon | ||
Planocephalosaurus
Planocephalosaurus is an extinct genus of rhynchocephalian.
Contents
Planocephalosaurus was one of the first sphenodonts and bore a strong resemblance to the extant tuatara, albeit much smaller, at only 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length. The creature is presumed to have fed on large invertebrates and small vertebrates.
Dentition
"Planocephalosaurus" exhibits very interesting dentition. Initially, it was believed to have been attached to the bone via acrodont tooth implantation, however, after this specimen was exposed to X-radiography it was determined that this animal has a combination of different tooth implantation types. Similar to another rhynchocephalian, Diphydontosaurus, it possesses acrodont teeth in the posterior portion of the jaw, and pleurodont dentition in the anterior portion. Planocephalosaurus's teeth were also fused with the cartilage, unlike its only extant relative the tuatara.