Whaitsiidae

'' Whaitsiids and their closest relatives (hofmeyriids and Ophidostoma) are grouped together in the clade Whaitsioidea. Some of their distinctive traits include a reduced number of postcanine teeth, a broad skull, and a boomerang-shaped lower jaw. At the front, the lower jaws have a loose rather than solid connection at the symphysis (chin), while at their rear the jaw joint is streptostylic. though they were still smaller than most gorgonopsians. == Classification ==

Whaitsiidae is named after Whaitsia, a junior synonym (defunct later name) for Therioganthus. Theriognathus'' remains the best-described member of the family. Whaitsioids are one of three major groups in the clade Eutherocephalia, alongside Akidnognathidae and Baurioidea. Historically, many therocephalians have been classified as "whaitsiids" or "whaitsioids" at some point, though in modern use Whaitsiidae is a smaller and more narrowly-defined family. Other studies strongly disagree, arguing that therocephalians and cynodonts are separate sister clades. ==References==