Clelandina rubidgei

The Gorgonopsids were a successful family of predatory Synapsids that lived from the Mid-Late Permian. In spite of their short success, their fossil remains are somewhat restricted; known only from South Africa and Russia thus far. They are also some of the most homogenous Synapsids: their internal anatomy varies very little between genera. They were efficient predators with large, sabre-like canines and limbs that were oriented in a mostly erect stance. Clelandina is a small example known from the Karoo region of South Africa. It was a Rubidgeine Gorgonopsid; a subfamily known for their robust and short skulls. The small sclerotic rings of Clelandina suggest it was diurnal.