Pliogonodon Temporal range:
Late Cretaceous
| |
---|---|
Illustration of type specimen, 1858 | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
(unranked): | |
Order: | |
(unranked): | |
Family: | |
Genus: | Pliogonodon |
Species | |
|
Pliogonodon is an extinct genus of crocodylomorph. The type species, P. priscus, was named by Joseph Leidy in 1856. The holotype, known as USNM 7448, is a worn and broken tooth found from Phoebus Landing on the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. [1] Although the age of the strata in which the tooth was found was not recorded, it is thought to have come from Miocene-age beds. [2] The holotype and another tooth found at the same location are all that is known from the genus. The genus is considered a nomen dubium because of the lack of diagnostic features possessed by the teeth, and has been suggested to be synonymous with the alligatoroid Deinosuchus. [3] Although Carroll (1988) assigned the genus to the basal neosuchian family Goniopholididae, [4] current consensus is that Pligonodon is a Deinosuchus specimen. [5]
The two teeth are conical and curve slightly inward, estimated to be around 2 inches (5.1 cm) in length if they had been fully preserved. The enamel is wrinkled and the base of the crowns are hollow. [2]
Pliogonodon Temporal range:
Late Cretaceous
| |
---|---|
Illustration of type specimen, 1858 | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
(unranked): | |
Order: | |
(unranked): | |
Family: | |
Genus: | Pliogonodon |
Species | |
|
Pliogonodon is an extinct genus of crocodylomorph. The type species, P. priscus, was named by Joseph Leidy in 1856. The holotype, known as USNM 7448, is a worn and broken tooth found from Phoebus Landing on the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. [1] Although the age of the strata in which the tooth was found was not recorded, it is thought to have come from Miocene-age beds. [2] The holotype and another tooth found at the same location are all that is known from the genus. The genus is considered a nomen dubium because of the lack of diagnostic features possessed by the teeth, and has been suggested to be synonymous with the alligatoroid Deinosuchus. [3] Although Carroll (1988) assigned the genus to the basal neosuchian family Goniopholididae, [4] current consensus is that Pligonodon is a Deinosuchus specimen. [5]
The two teeth are conical and curve slightly inward, estimated to be around 2 inches (5.1 cm) in length if they had been fully preserved. The enamel is wrinkled and the base of the crowns are hollow. [2]