#jonkeria

Line art of the titanosuchid dinocephalian Jonkeria truculenta from the Middle Permian of South Africa. This unusual therapsid was described in 1916 from a nearly complete skeleton with skull. Many other species were identified in subsequent years, but some are likely synonyms of each other or the type species (J. truculenta). Jonkeria's skull has an elongated, wide snout and a high occiput. The jaws contained powerful incisors and canines, as well as numerous spoon-shaped postcanine teeth. This combination of teeth possibly indicates omnivory. Jonkeria is also distinguished by its very massive body, supported by short but muscular limbs, the forelimbs being particularly strong. This animal belongs to the fauna of the so-called Tapinocephalus Zone Assemblage (named for the genus common to its deposits) and shared what would become South Africa with large herbivorous and predatory dinocephalians and a number of smaller animals.

Jonkeria poster

Jonkeria, a large dinocephalian from the Middle Permian. Also in the scene: a tiny Diictodon and Eunotosaurus.

252mya.com/jonkeria

Rhomaleosaurus

Cathartornis

Geikia

Jonkeria jigsaw puzzle

Piece together this Jonkeria, a large dinocephalian from the Middle Permian. Also in the scene: a tiny Diictodon and Eunotosaurus.

252mya.com/jonk

The Jonkers’ one, Jonkeria (1916)

Phylum : Chordata Class : Synapsida Order : Therapsida Suborder : Dinocephalia Family : Titanosuchidae Genus : Jonkeria Species : J. truculenta, J. boonstrai, J. haughtoni, J. ingens, J. koupensis, J. parva, J. rossouwi, J. vanderbyli

Late Permian (265 - 260 Ma)

4 m long and 500 kg (size)

South Africa (map)

Jonkeria was very similar to its south African relative Titanosuchus, although slightly bigger and with shorter, stouter legs.