dipleurids

Dipleurids are a family of extinct hood-plated dinocephalians, which were a group of synapsid therapsids from the Permian period. Their fossil remains have been found in what is now South Africa.

Dipleurids were medium-sized therapsids, and were characterized by their distinctive hood-like plates covering their heads. These plates were made of dermal bone and were likely used for display purposes, such as attracting mates or intimidating rivals. They were also adorned with spikes or bony projections, which may have served a similar purpose.

Phylogenetic analysis indicates that dipleurids were closely related to another extinct therapsid group, the Tapinocephalidae. This suggests that the family Dipleuridae is not as ancient as once thought, and that the group may have evolved relatively recently in the history of synapsid therapsids.

Several species of dipleurids have been named, including Dipleurus HASsei and Dipleurus aberdarensis. Fossil remains of these animals include skulls and postcranial remains from a variety of deposits. These deposits range from the Elliot Formation to the Teekloof formation in South Africa.

The dipleurids were likely an important component of the ecosystem in which they lived. Their presence and adaptations suggest that they competed with other therapsid groups for resources, and their distinctive morphology likely helped to distinguish them from other animals in the environment. Unfortunately, much about the dipleurids remains unknown, and further research is needed to gain a better understanding of this interesting group of extinct animals.