Lystrosaurus curvatus is a species of dicynodont in the family Lystrosauridae, known from 255 to 250 million years ago (the late Permian and early Triassic periods). Fossils belonging to this species are known from the Karoo Basin in South Africa, including fossil formations such as the Balfour Formation. The nearby Katberg Formation includes fossils of other species of Lystrosaurus. This particular species survived Earth’s most destructive mass extinction, the Permian-Triassic extinction event, in which 70% of all terrestrial vertebrates became extinct. This animal’s genus name means “shovel reptile,” referencing its burrowing habits. Its species name references the curved appearance of its bones. Lystrosaurus curvatus is the least specialized species of Lystrosaurus, which likely allowed it to survive the extinction event.
Other species include Lystrosaurus maccaigi, the largest member at eight feet long and the most specialized, which became extinct during the Permian-Triassic extinction; the type species Lystrosaurus murrayi, which lived in the early Triassic period between 252 and 247 million years ago; Lystrosaurus declivis, another Triassic species identifiable by its taller and narrower skull; and a possible fifth species, Lystrosaurus georgi, which lived in the early Triassic of the Moscow Basin. Some scientists do believe there are other species of Lystrosaurus in existence, but only the first four of this list are universally recognized. In the past, as many as twenty-three species were considered valid before it was realized most of them belonged to just a few species. Remains attributed to Lystrosaurus, but not identified to the species level, are known from Asia and Antarctica.
