Named By: | M. N. D. Ezcurra, T. M. Scheyer & R. J. Butler in 2014 |
Time Period: | Lopingian, 254.7 Ma |
Location: | Tanzania - Songea District - Usili Formation |
Size: | Unknown |
Diet: | Insectivore |
Fossil(s): | Partial post cranial skeleton |
Classification: | | Chordata | Reptilia | Protorosauria | Protorosauridae | |
Aenigmastropheus is an extinct genus of early archosauromorph reptiles known from the middle Late Permian Usili Formation of Songea District, southern Tanzania. It contains a single species, Aenigmastropheus parringtoni, known solely from UMZC T836, a partial postcranial skeleton of a mature individual. It was collected in 1933, and first described in 1956, as a "problematic reptile" due to its unique morphology. Therefore, a binomial name was erected for this specimen in 2014. Aenigmastropheus was probably fully terrestrial.