Rhizodus
Rhizodus (root tooth) is an extinct genus in the clade Sarcopterygii.
| Rhizodus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Fossil tooth of Rhizodus hibberti | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Order: | †Rhizodontida |
| Family: | †Rhizodontidae |
| Genus: | †Rhizodus Owen, 1840 |
| Species: | †R. hibberti |
| Binomial name | |
| †Rhizodus hibberti Owen, 1840 | |
Description
The most notable characteristics of Rhizodus, compared to other giant lobe-fins such as Barameda, were the two 22 centimetres (8.7 in) fangs located near the front of its jaws,[1] followed by other teeth scaling downwards in size. Rhizodus was a giant apex predator that resided in freshwater lakes, river systems and large swamps in the entire Carboniferous period, feeding on small to medium-sized amphibians, using its teeth to kill prey and rip it into digestible sizes, rather than swallowing prey whole like other, smaller-toothed sarcopterygians.[2]
Fossil skin imprints show that Rhizodus had large, plate-like scales, similar to those found on modern day arapaima.[3]
Diet
Rhizodus' diet includes medium sized fish and tetrapods. It has been proposed that Rhizodus may have lunged at terrestrial, shorebound prey, just like a modern-day crocodile.[3]
References
