Microgomphodon

Microgomphodon is an extinct genus of therocephalian therapsid from the Middle Triassic of South Africa and Namibia. Only one species of Microgomphodon, M. oligocynus, is currently recognized. With fossils present in the Cynognathus Assemblage Zone (CAZ) of the Burgersdorp Formation in South Africa and Omingonde Formation of Namibia and ranging in age from late Olenekian to Anisian, it is one of the most geographically and temporally widespread therocephalian species. Moreover, its occurrence in the upper Omigonde Formation of Namibia makes Microgomphodon the latest-surviving therocephalian. Microgomphodon is a member of the family Bauriidae and a close relative of Bauria, another South African bauriid from the CAZ. Like other bauriids, it possesses several mammal-like features such as a secondary palate and broad, molar-like postcanine teeth, all of which evolved independently from mammals.

==Description== thumb|left|Illustration of the skull of Microgomphodon oligocynus, based on specimen AMNH FARB 5517, originally described as Sesamodon browni thumb|left|Illustration of the skull of Bauria cynops, based on specimen AMNH FARB 5622 Microgomphodon has a short snout and large eye sockets that are roughly equal in size to the temporal openings behind them (these openings are typically much larger in therocephalians). Its incisors are large and pointed, with the lower set splaying forward from the lower jaw. A pair of enlarged canines in the upper jaw separates the incisors in the front from the postcanines in the back. The postcanine teeth are widened and bear cusps that interlock with the postcanines of the lower jaw. They are positioned closer to the midlines of the upper and lower jaws than are the incisors due to an inward expansion of the maxilla and dentary bones.