Article: Dolichuranus primaevus (Therapsida: Anomodontia) from the Middle Triassic of Namibia and its phylogenetic relationships

Dicynodont therapsids were near-ubiquitous components of Permo-Triassic terrestrial faunas, but the morphology of many of the nominal species remains poorly understood. Here we provide a detailed redescription of the cranium of the poorly known Dolichuranus primaevus from the Middle Triassic Omingonde Formation of Namibia, based on both the holotype and previously undescribed referred specimens. We identify a number of autapomorphic characters of D. primaevus and provide a revised taxon diagnosis. A phylogenetic analysis of Permian and Triassic dicynodonts indicates that most Triassic dicynodonts form a monophyletic clade. Within the Triassic clade Kannemeyerioidea, Dolichuranus is the sister taxon of a clade consisting of the stahleckeriids Stahleckeria and Ischigualastia from the Middle and Upper Triassic of South America, respectively.