Dicynodon

Over a hundred species of Dicynodon have been named and placed under Dicynodon since 1845, and the genus was for a long time treated as a wastebasket taxon. A study in 2011 revised every species referred to Dicynodon, and concluded that the only valid species were the type species D. lacerticeps and its close relative D. huenei. The remaining species were either dubious (nomina dubia), referrable to unrelated valid genera, or valid species but representing a paraphyletic grouping, or evolutionary grade, of Permian dicynodontoids (a subclade of dicynodonts that includes Dicynodon, Lystrosaurus, and other closely related Triassic dicynodonts). These species were elevated to their own genera, reviving many names previously synonymous with Dicynodon and establishing several new ones. A 2019 study named another new species of Dicynodon from Tanzania, D. angielczyki. The same study, however, simultaneously transferred D. huenei to the genus Daptocephalus, thus still leaving Dicynodon with only two species. ==Description==

of D. lacerticeps Dicynodon was a medium-sized and advanced member of the Dicynodont group. It had an average length of , although size differed among species. Its fossil remains have been found in sediments of latest Permian age in South Africa and Tanzania. The type species is Dicynodon lacerticeps Owen, 1845. A large number of species have since been placed in this genus, some of which turned out to be synonyms of other species, others have been moved to different genera. == Palaeobiology ==

Metabolism Dicynodon is believed to have been an ectothermic animal based on its δ18Op values. ==Species==

26233) from 1845 Two species of Dicynodon are currently recognized: the type species D. lacerticeps from South Africa and the species D. angielczyki from Tanzania. Since the genus was first named, over 160 species have been assigned to Dicynodon. A 2011 study of the genus found 11 of these species to be valid, although most are now assigned to other dicynodont genera. Below is a list of all species that have ever been assigned to Dicynodon. Since their naming, most have been considered as synonymous with other dicynodont species. Names in bold are still referable to Dicynodon. ==See also==