Brithopus
# Brithopus

Brithopus is an extinct genus of dinocephalian therapsids. It contains a single species, Brithopus priscus, known from fragmentary remains found in the Copper Sandstones near Isheevo, Russia.

## Description

Brithopus was fairly large, reaching a length of 2.5–3 m (8–10 ft). The skull was similar to Titanophoneus, but more massive and heavily built.

## Classification

B. priscus was first named in 1838 and was traditionally classified in the Anteosauria, a group of carnivorous dinocephalians. Brithopus served as the basis for the family Brithopodidae, which once included many anteosaurian species. Because it is based on fragmentary material, Brithopus is regarded as a nomen dubium by some researchers. Brithopus was later considered a possible estemmenosuchid, a type of herbivorous tapinocephalian therapsid.

Dinosaurus and Eurosaurus have both been considered synonyms of Brithopus.

