Wilkowia

Wilkowia is a genus of extinct dicynodont therapsids that lived during the Late Permian period. Fossils have been found in Poland. Wilkowia is characterized by its relatively small size compared to other dicynodonts, and specific features of its skull and dentition.

Description:

Wilkowia was a herbivorous animal, and like other dicynodonts, possessed a pair of prominent tusks. Its postcranial skeleton is less well-known than its skull. Diagnostic features include aspects of the snout region and the shape of the intertemporal bar.

Classification:

Wilkowia belongs to the infraorder Dicynodontia, a diverse group of therapsids. Its precise phylogenetic placement within Dicynodontia has been subject to debate, but it is generally considered to be a relatively basal member.

Discovery and History:

Fossils of Wilkowia were first discovered and described from Late Permian deposits in Poland. The holotype specimen provides crucial information about the evolution and biogeography of dicynodonts.

Paleoecology:

Wilkowia inhabited terrestrial ecosystems during the Late Permian. It would have coexisted with other therapsids and various other fauna and flora. Its herbivorous diet would have made it an important component of the food web.