New Late Permian Therocephalian

A new primitive whaitsiid therocephalian, Moschowhaitsia vjuschkovi, is described from the Vyaznika deposits (Upper Tatarian, Upper Permian), Vladimir Province, U.S. S. R. Moschowhaitsia is distinguished from other members of the family Whaitsiidae by the retention of a large number of cheek teeth. In its palate the, new genus embodies a nice combination of the characteristics ordinarily used to distinguish between the whaitslid subfamilies Whaitsiinae and Moschorhininae, and is therefore assigned to a new subfamily, Moschowhaitsiinae, annectent between the two previously described subfamilies. The well-preserved, acid-prepared skull reveals a number of features unexpected in a theriodont of otherwise generally primitive aspect. There is a well-developed secondary palate, a large parapineal body but no parietal foramen, evidence of turbinate bones in the nasal passage, and evidence of an expanded cerebral region in the rhinencephalon. The snout contains numerous passages for blood-vessels and nerves, and superficial pits that are interpreted as skin glands. These features are discussed briefly in terms of early evolution of a constant temperature physiology.—N. Hotton, III.