The Great Extinction - Megawhatsia patrichae

New work - a giant therocephalian Megawhaitsia patrichae that killed dicynodont Vivaxosaurus permirus on the background of a forest fire, caused by volcanic eruptions. Shown in the figure, the event refers to the end of the Permian (252 million years ago, according to modern geologic time scale). This so-called "The Great extinction", the large-scale disappearance of a large number of living beings in the entire history of our planet. The result is not yet fully elucidated reasons, has lost a huge number of species: 96 % in sea and 70% on land. Consequences of biospheric crisis has affected even the insects that usually staunchly experiencing similar troubles. One of the reasons for the Great Permian extinction could be increased volcanic activity in the area of today's Siberia. The result of the outpouring of the Siberian traps huge areas of land were covered by lava. The consequences were destructive: the release of large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the total warming, forest fires, also made its contribution to the increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere.

Notice that the reconstruction Megawhaitsia is speculative: this animal is known only by the fragment of the right maxilla. Basing on the reconstruction of other members of the superfamily Whaitsioidea. Megawhaitsia was a large predator, took the place of the giant gorgonopsians in Eastern Europe. It is notable, that might have a poisonous bite, as it found the channels in the thickness of the upper jaw, extending to the alveolas of each of the three fangs (M. Ivakhnenko believed, that these channels are poisonous glands). Yes, this beast had three pairs of fangs. Remarkable animal!