In Depth Trematochampsa is a genus of crocodile that lived in what is now Niger during the Late Cretaceous. A second species named in 1979 as T. oblita has now been reassigned to its own genus, Miadanasuchus. Trematochampsa is now considered to be more of a nomen dubium since these fossils are actually made up … Read more
In Depth Laganosuchus acquired its name from its flat ‘pancake like’ jaws. These had small but numerous teeth running across the edges. Laganosuchus is thought to have used these specialised jaws as a fish trap, laying in the water with its jaws open for extended periods until a fish swam in. Once this happened, the … Read more
In Depth There is some confusion regarding Geosaurus reconstructions as there were once both long and short snouted forms of the genus. One former species of Geosaurus in particular known as G. suevicus was an almost complete specimen which was commonly used as a base for the majority of early Geosaurus reconstructions. Later analysis in … Read more
In Depth Belodon is an often quoted yet surprisingly obscure genus of phytosaurs. The phytosaurs were physically and presumably ecologically similar to crocodiles, and Belodon seems to have grown to a size approaching smaller crocodiles that we know today. However, not all are convinced about the validity of Belodon, with some palaeontologists regarding it as … Read more
In Depth Miadanasuchus was originally described as a species of Trematochampsa back in 1979, but re-identified as its own genus in 2009. Miadanasuchus may have been one of the key predators of the Maevarano Formation. Other predatory crocodiles from the same formation include Mahajangasuchus and Araripesuchus. Further Reading - New Material of “Trematochampsa” Oblita (Crocodyliformes,Trematochampsidae) … Read more