Erythrotherium

Erythrotherium is an extinct genus of therapsid that lived during the Triassic period. Its fossil remains have been found in South Africa. The name Erythrotherium means "red beast," likely a reference to the color of the rock in which its fossils were discovered. This small mammal-like reptile is known from a single, fragmentary skull. Despite its limited fossil evidence, Erythrotherium is significant for its early appearance within the cynodont lineage, the group that ultimately gave rise to mammals. Its dental structure suggests it was likely an insectivore or a small omnivore, feeding on insects and possibly other small invertebrates. The discovery of Erythrotherium contributes to our understanding of the diversification of cynodonts during the Triassic, a crucial period in the evolution of mammalian ancestors. Its precise taxonomic placement within cynodontia continues to be a subject of scientific debate due to the fragmentary nature of the available remains.