Moghreberia is an extinct genus of dicynodont predicted to have lived only in the mid-Triassic, primarily during the early middle Carnian and found only in the Argana Basin of Morocco.

[3] The extinction of many dicynodonts has been attributed to pressures of the Carnian Pluvial Episode, which occurred around 234-232 Ma and generated major ecological and climate changes for years to come.

[4] The first remains of Moghreberia included two poorly preserved skulls discovered in the Irohalene Member, a section of the Timezgadiouine Formation in the Argana Basin of modern-day Morocco.

[1] After discovery of the initial two skulls in the Argana Basin, these remains were first detailed, and the genus and species named, by JM Dutuit in 1980, in which he emphasized similarities to other kannemeyerids.

[1] This observation was later supported by computer-assisted phylogenetic analysis by Kammerer et al. which concluded Moghreberia was most closely related to Placerias, placing it in Stahleckeriidae as opposed to Kannemeyeridae.

[6] Based on these few isolated cranial elements and the complete lack of postcranial remains, the taxonomic validity of Moghreberia was highly debated.

[1] It wasn’t until 2020 that its taxonomic validity was reanalyzed and the gap in phylogenetic positioning closed with the first postcranial analysis of Moghreberia nmachouensis, which was made possible due to the discovery of a nearly complete skeleton of the individual.

This analysis concluded that Moghreberia was in fact phylogenetically unique and is likely more closely related to Lisowicia of Poland than to North American Placerias.

Dutuit also noted a highly pointed tip of the snout and a dorsal margin of the erupted portion of the canine tusk anterior to the nasal cavity.

This genus can also be characterized by a highly angled intertemporal bar, elongate posterior parietal processes, and a deeply depressed preparietal.

Two cranial elements helping to distinguish Moghreberia from Placerias include a lack of caniniform depression and elongate postnarial excavation.

[7] Being a Triassic dicynodont implies that these were likely ever-growing and composed of thick dentine walls, an enamel cap and roots growing deep into the maxilla.