Brachyrhinodon taylori (Fraser and Benton 1989) Carnian, Late Triassic ~222 mya, was a derived rhynchocephalian with teeth fused to one another and to the jaw bones. Derived from a sister to Sphenodon, Brachyrhinodon phylogenetically preceded Sapheosaurus, Trilophosaurus and Mesosuchus.
Distinct from Sphenodon, the skull of Brachyrhinodon was more robust and broader posteriorly with smaller temporal fenestrae and a smaller orbit. The mandible was more robust with a longer retroarticular process.
The pelvis was more similar to that of Gephyrosaurus in size and shape. The femur was the longest among sphenodontians relative to the torso. |
