Aristosuchus

A-riss-toe-soo-kus.
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Cassidy Wood

Paleoentomologist

Cassidy Wood uncovers the tiny yet significant world of prehistoric insects. Her research on amber-preserved specimens has revealed intricate details about ancient ecosystems.

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Name

Aristosuchus ‭(‬Brave crocodile‭)‬.

Phonetic

A-riss-toe-soo-kus.

Named By

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Dinosauria,‭ ‬Saurischia,‭ ‬Theropoda,‭ ‬Coelurosauria,‭ ‬Compsognathidae.

Diet

Carnivore.

Species

A.‭ ‬pusillus‭

Size

Unknown.

Known locations

England,‭ ‬Isle of Wight.

Time Period

Early Cretaceous.

Fossil representation

Femur,‭ ‬sacrum,‭ ‬pubis and some vertebrae.

In Depth

       In‭ ‬1876‭ ‬Richard‭ ‬Owen‭ ‬named a new species of Poekilopleuron called P.‭ ‬pusillus.‭ ‬In‭ ‬1879‭ ‬this species was adjusted to P.‭ ‬minor by Edward Drinker Cope.‭ ‬Then in‭ ‬1887‭ ‬Harry Govier Seeley renamed this species as a new distinct genus,‭ ‬Aristosuchus.‭ ‬However,‭ ‬despite the name‭ ‘‬suchus‭’ ‬which is Ancient Greek for crocodile,‭ ‬this creature was actually a dinosaur.‭ ‬Although the incomplete remains make it difficult to reconstruct this dinosaur,‭ ‬it seems to have been a small compsognathid similar to Compsognathus.

Further Reading

– On Aristosuchus pusillus (Owen), being further notes on the fossils described by Sir R. Owen as Poikilopleuron pusillus, Owen. – Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London. 43: 221–228. – H. G. Seeley – 1887. – Fox, Owen and the small Wealden theropods Calamospondylus and Aristosuchus. – Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 19 (Suppl. 3), 66. – D. Naish – 1999. – The historical taxonomy of the Lower Cretaceous theropods (Dinosauria) Calamospondylus and Aristosuchus from the Isle of Wight. – Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association 113: 153–163. – D. Naish – 2002.

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