Description

Dimetrodon sp.
Early Permian
Red Beds Facies
Archer County, TX, USA
Big 71mm jaw section with 13 teeth on 90mm slab.

Synapsid.

Dimetrodon is a genus of large synapsid and was one of the top predators in Early Permian ecosystems of the American southwest and Germany. The largest species could reach over 10 feet in length (3m). Smaller species may have had different ecological roles at a time when complex ecosystems on land were beginning to be established with multiple predator levels to take advantage of the availability of the evolution of herbivorous land vertebrates.

Dimetrodon means “two measures tooth,” a reference to the fact that it had larger slashing teeth and smaller cutting teeth. It was an innovation in predation. Previous land predators had simple, conical teeth which are good for grasping prey which was then swallowed whole. Dimetrodon could attack larger prey and bite off chunks. Its feeding was made more efficient by having teeth with serrated edges allowing easier meat cutting just as a serrated knife helps us cut through a steak better than a paring knife.

The sail of Dimetrodon may have been used to stabilize its spine or to heat and cool its body as a form of thermoregulation. Some recent studies argue that the sail would have been ineffective at removing heat from the body and was most likely a form of sexual display. Kind of like skinny jeans.

Most Dimetrodon remains are isolated teeth and bones but here is a nice jaw with multiple teeth. Great display piece for someone needing something really cool to represent the Permian or early large land predators.

Synapsid, Pelycosaur