Galechirus

Gal-e-ky-russ.
Published on

John Stewart

Paleoecologist

John Stewart is a distinguished paleoecologist whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of prehistoric ecosystems. With over two decades dedicated to unearthing fossils across Asia and Africa

Cite Feedback Print

Name

Galechirus.

Phonetic

Gal-e-ky-russ.

Named By

Robert Broom‭ ‬-‭ ‬1907.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Synapsida,‭ ‬Therapsida,‭ ‬Anomodontia.

Diet

Insectivore.

Species

G.‭ ‬scholtzi‭

Size

About‭ ‬30‭ ‬centimetres long.

Known locations

South Africa‭ ‬-‭ ‬Abrahamskraal Formation.

Time Period

Capitanian of the Permian.

Fossil representation

Several individuals.

In Depth

       Usually identified as an anomodont,‭ ‬Galechirus has also been considered by some to possibly represent a dicynodont.‭ In general appearance,‭ ‬Galechirus seems to have looked more like a regular lizard than your typical therapsid,‭ ‬which may indicate the Galechirus‭ ‬genus was a late surviving primitive form.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬On Some New Fossil Reptiles from the Karroo Beds of Victoria West,‭ ‬South Africa.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society‭ ‬18:31-42.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Robert Broom‭ ‬-‭ ‬1907.

Adopt A Species
prehistoric-wildlife new logo

Love this species?

Adopt it today!

(UPDATED!)

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT