Re-assessment of the Taxonomic Position of the Specimen GPIT/RE/7113 (Sauroctonus parringtoni comb. nov., Gorgonopsia)

Abstract

The nearly complete gorgonopsian specimen GPIT/RE/7113, holotype of Scymnognathus (later Aelurognathus?) parringtoni, is redescribed. Comparisons with the type species of Aelurognathus (A. tigriceps) reveal that GPIT/RE/7113 is not referable to that genus. GPIT/RE/7113 shares a number of features with the Russian gorgonopsian Sauroctonus progressus, including a weakly flared zygomatic arch, interorbital and intertemporal regions of nearly equal width, broad nasal, naso-frontal suture situated anterior to the orbit and somewhat bow-shaped, prefrontal long and extremely low, terminating in a narrow anterior process, narrow vomer, parietal contribution to the occipital rim, and somewhat sloping dentary symphysis. Based on these characters, GPIT/RE/7113 is referred to Sauroctonus as S. parringtoni comb. nov. This represents the first instance of commonality in a gorgonopsian genus between the Eastern European and East African therapsid faunas.