Lower Jaw of the Chinese Pareiasaur Shihtienfenia (IMAGE)

University of Bristol

Lower Jaw of the Chinese Pareiasaur Shihtienfenia

Caption

This is the lower jaw of the Chinese pareiasaur Shihtienfenia, seen in external and internal views. The deep jaw shows it had powerful jaw muscles, and the small leaf-shaped teeth show it fed on plants. A detailed investigation of all Chinese specimens of these creatures -- often described as the 'ugliest fossil reptiles' -- has been published by a University of Bristol, UK palaeontologist.

Credit

Professor Mike Benton

Usage Restrictions

Image is for single use only to illustrate articles on 'The Chinese pareiasaurs' by Michael J. Benton in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society and is not to be archived. Please credit the copyright holder: Professor Mike Benton

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