Tapinocaninus pamelae was named by Rubidge (1991) [Large tapinocephaline dinocephalian. Moderate pachyostosis with broad postorbital bar. Temporal opening relatively large for tapinocephaline, and hence relatively narrow intertemporal region. Premaxilla forming anterior and antero-lateral border of the internal nares. Maxilla with very short contact on lateral side of internal nares such that the palatine and premaxilla almost meel. Vomer narrow in ventral view. Heterodont dentition with medium-sized canine tooth lacking definite crushing heel in both upper and lower jaw. Lower canine passing in front of upper canine rather than on lingual side. Five larger incisor teeth in premaxilla. all with crushing heel. Quadrate condyles situated below posterior border of orbit. Several small palatal teeth on palatine boss.]. It is considered to be a form taxon. Its type specimen is NMQR 2987, a skull (Skull and mandible), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Modderdrift farm, which is in a Kungurian lacustrine - large dolomite in the Whitehill Formation of South Africa.