Gorgonopsia is a Suborder of synapsids. Cladistically, Synapsids include mammals, although they were previously considered reptiles. Their name is a reference to the Gorgons of Greek mythology, renowned for their power.

They are officially recognised as mammal-like reptiles, although more and more they are being considered as reptile-like mammals, due to the large number of Mammalian adaptations, and very few remaining reptilian traits. Their Mammalian specialisations include differentiated tooth shape, the fully developed synapse (temporal fenestra), pillar-like rear legs and even ear bones.

They were among the largest carnivores of the late Permian. The largest known, Inostrancevia is the size of a large bear, with a 45cm long skull and 12cm long sabre-like teeth and was clearly a successful carnivore.

They are related to the herbivorous Anomodontia ("anomaly tooth" -referring to their bizarre teeth that have been adapted from meat-tearing carnassials to a unique plant-shearing design.)

Gorgonopsia includes three subfamilies, the Gorgonopsinae, Rubidgeinae and Inostranceviinae, plus a larger number that have not been placed in any of these groups, giving a total of 25 genera and 41 species. The genera described most completely include Dinogorgon, Inostrancevia and Rubidgea.

The most comprehensive review of the group is by Sigogneau-Russell, 1989. However, there has not been a detailed cladistic assessment of the phylogeny of these animals.

Taxonomy

• Order Therapsida
• SUBORDER GORGONOPSIA
  • Family Gorgonopsidae
    • Aelurognathus
    • Aelurosaurus
    • Aloposaurus
    • Arctognathus
    • Arctops
    • Broomisaurus
    • Cephalicustroidus
    • Cerdorhinus
    • Clelandina
    • Cyanosaurus
    • Dinogorgon
    • Eoarctops
    • Galesuchus
    • Gorgonops
    • Leontocephalus
    • Lycaenops
    • Paragalerhinus
    • Scylacognathus
    • Sycosaurus
    • Subfamily Gorgonopsinae
      • Sauroctonus
      • Scylacops
    • Subfamily Rubidgeinae
      • Broomicephalus
      • Niuksenitia
      • Prorubidgea
      • Rubidgea
    • Subfamily Inostranceviinae
      • Pravoslavleria
      • Inostrancevia

References

• Bakker, R.T. (1986), The Dinosaur Heresies, Kensington Publishing Corp.
• Cox, B. and Savage, R.J.G. and Gardiner, B. and Harrison, C. and Palmer, D. (1988) The Marshall illustrated encyclopedia of dinosaurs & prehistoric animals, 2nd Edition, Marshall Publishing
• Fenton, C.L. and Fenton, M.A. (1958) The Fossil Book, Doubleday Publishing
• Hore, P.M. (2005), The Dinosaur Age, Issue #18. National Dinosaur Museum
• Sigogneau-Russell, D., 1989, "Theriodontia I - Phthinosuchia, Biarmosuchia, Eotitanosuchia, Gorgonopsia" Part 17 B I, Encyclopedia of Paleoherpetology, Gutsav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart and New York
• Ward, P.D. (2004), Gorgon, Viking Penguin

Gorgonopsia