In Depth Compared to some larger Cretaceous crocodiles such as Deinosuchus, Allodaposuchus was actually quite small, but it still would have been a serious danger to the smaller dinosaurs that were running across Europe during the Cretaceous. Given the speed of smaller ornithopod dinosaurs the best chance that Allodaposuchus had of making a kill would … Read more
In Depth Albertosuchus is a genus of crocodile that lived in Canada during the late Cretaceous, and which is noted for being similar to Arenysuchus, which is known from similarly aged fossil bearing deposits in Spain. Albertosuchus should not be confused with Albertosaurus, a tyrannosaurid dinosaur of the late Cretaceous, though it is not impossible … Read more
In Depth Though only named for a partial jaw, Labidiosuchus is still quite interesting as reconstructions of the lower jaw have indicated that it would have had a Y-shaped profile, hence the name Labidiosuchus which translates as ‘forceps crocodile’. Further Reading - A new cretaceous notosuchian (Mesoeucrocodylia) with bizarre dentition from Brazil. - Zoological Journal … Read more
In Depth Campinasuchus is a genus of sebecosuchian crocodylomorph that lived in South America during the late Cretaceous. Unfortunately little is known about Campinasuchus, though the genus is thought to be related to Pissarrachampsa and Wargosuchus. Further Reading - Campinasuchus dinizi gen. et sp. nov., a new Late Cretaceous baurusuchid (Crocodyliformes) from the Bauru Basin, … Read more
In Depth Pristichampsus is a crocodile that bears all of the hallmarks of a terrestrial lifestyle rather than an aquatic one like todays crocodiles. The key clues to this lifestyle can be seen in the legs which are longer than those of semi-aquatic crocodiles to allow for more terrestrial locomotion. Additionally the ends of the … Read more
In Depth Rhamphosuchus is thought to have looked like a modern day false gharial, crocodiles that have proportionately thin and long snouts compared to other crocodiles.Rhamphosuchus itself however was much larger, although to what extent remains uncertain. This is because Rhamphosuchus is currently only known from very fragmentary material that makes reconstruction of the skull … Read more
In Depth Known only from incomplete material, Morrinhosuchus is still an interesting notosuchian. The skull of Morrinhosuchus still retained an antorbital fenestra (an opening in front of the eye socket, and a small notch was present between the premaxilla and maxilla, the two tooth bearing bones of the upper jaw. The mandibles (lower jaw bones) … Read more
In Depth Libycosuchus is a genus of notosuchian crocodile that lived in North Africa during the earlier stages of the Late Cretaceous. Libycosuchus is noted for having a similarity to both Notosuchus and Simosuchus. Further Reading - Ergebnisse der Forschungreisen Prof. E. Stromers in den Wusten Agyptens: II. Wirbeltier-Reste der Baharije-Stufe (unterstes Cenoman). 1. Einleitung … Read more
In Depth Yacarerani is a small notouchian crocodilomorph that lived in South America during the early stages of the Late Cretaceous. Yacarerani has a highly specialised dentition with the two most forward incisors in the lower jaw almost pointing directly forwards. The upper fore teeth also protrude forwards and these teeth may have been for … Read more
In Depth Dyrosaurus was a long snouted crocodile that had jaws filled with numerous, thin recurved teeth. These kinds of teeth are indicative of a piscivorous (fish eating) lifestyle. At up to six meters long, Dyrosaurus were large when compared to modern crocodiles, though positively tiny when compared to some North African Mesozoic crocodiles like … Read more