Palaeoctonus
Encyclopedia
Palaeoctonus is a genus
of archosaur
(possibly phytosaur
) known only from isolated teeth. The genus includes the species P. appalachianus, P. aulacodus, P. cyphodon, P. dumblianus, and P. orthodon. The name is derived from Greek (palaios meaning "ancient", -ktonos meaning "killer"). The genus is believed to have flourished during the Upper (Late) Triassic
period.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of archosaur
Archosaur
Archosaurs are a group of diapsid amniotes whose living representatives consist of modern birds and crocodilians. This group also includes all extinct non-avian dinosaurs, many extinct crocodilian relatives, and pterosaurs. Archosauria, the archosaur clade, is a crown group that includes the most...
(possibly phytosaur
Phytosaur
Phytosaurs are an extinct group of large semi-aquatic Late Triassic archosaurs. Phytosaurs belong to the family Phytosauridae and the order Phytosauria. They were long-snouted and heavily armoured, bearing a remarkable resemblance to modern crocodiles in size, appearance, and lifestyle, an example...
) known only from isolated teeth. The genus includes the species P. appalachianus, P. aulacodus, P. cyphodon, P. dumblianus, and P. orthodon. The name is derived from Greek (palaios meaning "ancient", -ktonos meaning "killer"). The genus is believed to have flourished during the Upper (Late) Triassic
Triassic
The Triassic is a geologic period and system that extends from about 250 to 200 Mya . As the first period of the Mesozoic Era, the Triassic follows the Permian and is followed by the Jurassic. Both the start and end of the Triassic are marked by major extinction events...
period.