Description
Koskinonodon Metoposaurus
- Koskinonodon (Metoposaur)
- Triassic Age
- Cooper Canyon Formation
- Scurry County, Texas
- This extremely well preserved piece of skull measures 1.28″ wide
- More Fossil Amphibians for Sale
Koskinonodon is an extinct genus of large temnospondyl amphibians. These animals were part of the family called Metoposauridae. They filled the crocodile-like predatory niches in the late Triassic. Growing up to 3 m (10 ft) in length, with a 65-cm-long skull. It was an ambush hunter, snapping up anything small enough to fit in its huge jaws.
The skull of Koskinonodon differs from the skulls of other closely related organisms in a few key ways. Wider overall and feature eye sockets that are very anterior and forward oriented. Also, the skull has prominent slime canals, which are used for transporting mucus, as well as large external nares.
Koskinonodon Mounted specimen on display at the American Museum of Natural History
