Gisortia

Gisortia is an extinct genus of therocephalian therapsids from the Late Permian period. Fossils of Gisortia have been found in South Africa, specifically in the Karoo Basin.

Characterized by its relatively large size compared to other contemporary therocephalians, Gisortia is known from incomplete cranial material. Its taxonomic placement within the Therocephalia is complex and has been subject to revision. It is typically considered a member of the Whaitsiidae family, a group of carnivorous therocephalians.

The anatomy of the known Gisortia fossils suggests a robust animal with powerful jaws, likely adapted for preying on other vertebrates. While a complete skeletal reconstruction is unavailable due to the fragmentary nature of the fossils, inferences can be drawn based on related whaitsiid species. These inferences suggest a sprawling posture and a body plan typical of early therapsids.

Further research and the discovery of more complete specimens are necessary to fully understand the morphology, phylogenetic relationships, and paleoecology of Gisortia. Its presence in the Late Permian of South Africa contributes to our understanding of the therapsid fauna that dominated terrestrial ecosystems before the rise of the dinosaurs.