Omnidens

Omnidens is an extinct genus of stem-group placodonts from the Late Triassic period. The single known species is Omnidens amplus. Its fossil remains have been discovered in the Xiaowa Formation of Guanling, Guizhou Province, China.

Omnidens is primarily known from its massive crushing dentition. The name "Omnidens" refers to its hypothesized ability to consume a wide variety of food items, reflecting the "omni-" prefix. The teeth are large, flattened, and possess heavily enameled surfaces, suggesting a diet that included hard-shelled organisms.

Its large size distinguished it from many contemporary placodonts. The preserved mandibles indicate a substantially sized animal.

The classification of Omnidens remains a subject of research, but phylogenetic analyses generally place it within the Placodontia as a basal stem-group member, outside the more derived Cyamodontoidea. The study of Omnidens provides important insights into the early evolution and dietary diversification of placodonts during the Triassic period. The unique morphology of its teeth offers clues about the types of prey available in the marine environments of the time.