In Depth Pakasuchus is a genus of small notosuchian crocodylomorph that lived in Africa during the early Cretaceous. What are most notable about Pakasuchus are the teeth which are multicusped and very mammal-like, so much so that they look more like those of a mammal than a crocodile. Pakasuchus seems to have lacked large osteoderms … Read more
In Depth Simosuchus is a genus of small and probably vegetarian crocodile that lived in Madagascar during the late Cretaceous. The vegetarian theory about the diet comes from study of the teeth and jaws which are much better suited to processing plant material than flesh. Simosuchus also exhibits a greatly reduced tail, quite possibly because … 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 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 Adamantinasuchus was a fairly small notosuchian crocodylomorph from the late Cretaceous Adamantina Formation of Brazil, Many crurotarsans are known from the Adamantina Formation, including Armadillosuchus, Morrinhosuchus, Baurusuchus and Mariliasuchus to name just a few. Out of these, Adamantinasuchus may have been most similar to Mariliasuchus. The teeth of Adamantinasuchus suggest a possible carnivorous … Read more
In Depth Armadillosuchus is but one of many bizarre crocodiles from the Cretaceous period, but what makes this genus different are the armadillo-like plates in the form of flexible bands and rigid plates that run down the length of its body (hence the meaning of the genus name). Armadillosuchus is widely believed to have been … Read more