Wirtembergia
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| Wirtembergia Temporal range: Middle Triassic (Ladinian) | |
|---|---|
| Lower jaw of Wirtembergia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Rhynchocephalia |
| Genus: | †Wirtembergia Sues and Schoch, 2023 |
| Type species | |
| Wirtembergia hauboldae Sues and Schoch, 2023 | |
Wirtembergia is an extinct genus of rhynchocephalian reptile known from the Middle Triassic (Ladinian) of Germany. It currently the most primitive known rhynchocephalian, and also one of the oldest known rhynchocephalians, after Agriodontosaurus.
The first remains of the genus were reported in 2013 as cf. Diphydontosaurus based on two lower jaws found in the Middle Triassic (Ladinian) Erfurt Formation, located in the state of Baden-Württemberg near the settlement of Vellberg.[1] In 2023, the genus and species Wirtembergia hauboldae was described based on this material, as well as a partial skeleton (SMNS 91313) found at the same locality, including parts of the skull (the premaxilla, maxilla, jugal, frontal, pterygoid, and a possible partial palatine) as well as limb bones and ribs.[2]