Galtonia gibbidens
species of reptile (fossil)
Galtonia is an extinct genus of pseudosuchian from the Late Triassic. It is known from remains found in the Late Triassic-aged New Oxford Formation of Pennsylvania, which were first described by Edward Drinker Cope in 1878.
The type and only species, G. gibbidens, was originally named Thecodontosaurus gibbidens in 1878, but was moved to a new genus by Hunt and Lucas in 1994. It is based on the lectotype AMNH 2339, discovered by C. M. Wheatley. There is also a genus of flower with the name Galtonia, however a genus in one kingdom may have the same name as a genus in another kingdom so this is permitted.
Galtonia, upon being identified as its own genus separate from Thecodontosaurus, was initially classified as an ornithischian, but was seen to be Revueltosaurus, which is actually a non-dinosaurian archosaur. Irmis et al. (2006) even assigned Galtonia to Revueltosaurus. Galtonia is now seen as a possible synonym of Revueltosaurus.
This brief starts where responsible research should: with the source description of “Galtonia gibbidens” as species of reptile (fossil). Everything that follows is an evidence route, not borrowed authority.
Why this record matters
The subject matters to the science & nature register because the source frames it as species of reptile (fossil). Its deeper value depends on whether names, dates, institutions and citations support that framing.
Datasets, specimens, observations and peer-reviewed methods provide the appropriate test for the technical claims summarized here. The source revision retrieved here is dated Apr 30, 2024. The linked authority identifier is Q871963. The first chronological checks are 1878, 1994 and 2006.
A general summary may omit uncertainty, sample limits or methodological disagreement that is explicit in the technical record. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Check terminology, classification and the date of the cited evidence. Scientific names and technical consensus can change while older records retain historical value.
- Current terminology
- Classification context
- Finding cited technical literature
Primary datasets, specimen catalogues, standards bodies and the most recent peer-reviewed literature.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Galtonia gibbidens”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Galtonia gibbidens primary sources, Galtonia gibbidens archive and Galtonia research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Galtonia gibbidens”?
- Which observation, specimen, dataset or publication supports the account?
- Is the terminology current, historical or disputed?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Galtonia gibbidens” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.