a strut that extends past the posterior end of the skull. H. scholtzi’s parietals are broad, triangular, and take up most of the post-orbital region. The corners form a wing-like concave process postlaterally. The pineal foramen is large, oval in shape, and slightly sunken into the parietals. Teeth of H. scholtzi are typical of Varanopids with a recurved shape, serrated mesially and distally on some. A slightly larger caniniform is present a third of the way in from the anterior end of the maxilla. These teeth are very similar to those of Mycterosaurus, but a little more robust. Postcranial morphology Vertebrae of H. scholtzi have neural arches that are slightly longer anteroposteriorly than they are wide, a feature also seen in Mycterosaurus. Neural spines have a blade like structure that are relatively narrow dorsally. Most Varanopids have shallow grooves on the lateral surfaces of their vertebrae, but this is only seen in the cervical region of H. scholtzi. This feature is also seen in Mesenosaurus. The cervical vertebrae have a median ventral keel that is well developed. Dorsal vertebrae have a broad ridge running along the midline of the centrum, subdivided by a shallow groove. This feature is unique and very uncommon in basal amniotes. Articulation of the vertebrae can be seen in some of the individuals in the aggregate fossil, SAM-PK-K8305. This includes the caudal region of the vertebral column. Slender ribs attached have holocephalous heads joined by a web of bones. The proximal ends are slender while the heads are triangular in shape. Very slender gastralia are present in the aggregate fossil. Surrounding the ventral column are a series of osteoderms, small rounded ossicles. These are a key autapomorphy of H. scholtzi and are articulated in the aggregate fossil. They form transverse rows of up to five osteoderms, with two to three rows per vertebrae. This feature is shared by Elliotsmithia, another Permian synapsid. Preservation of the scapulacoracoids is good and show an autapomorphy for Varanopids, lack of a supraglenoid. The scapular blade of H. scholtzi is low and broad. Clavicles are preserved in both fossils and are long slender rods with narrow heads. These are positioned posterodorsally with the posterior edges tapering to connect with the scapulacoracoids. The interclavicle head has a plate like shape with a long shaft, estimated by Reisz to be around the same length of six centra. The humerus is slender with narrow