Zaraasuchus

Taxobox
name = "Zaraasuchus"
fossil_range = Late Cretaceous
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
infraclassis = Archosauromorpha
superordo = Crocodylomorpha
unranked_familia = Crocodyliformes
familia = Gobiosuchidae
genus = "Zaraasuchus"
binomial = "Zaraasuchus shepardi"
binomial_authority = Pol & Norell 2004

"Zaraasuchus" ("hedgehog crocodile") was a gobiosuchid crocodyliform described in 2004 by Diego Pol and Mark Norell. It was found in the Red Beds of Zos Canyon, in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia, thus making it Late Cretaceous in age.

The type species is "Z. shepardi", honouring Dr. Richard Shepard.

Material

The holotype of "Z. shepardi" is IGM 100/1321, consisting of the posterior region of the skull and lower jaws with articulation with cervical vertebrae, forelimb elements and osteoderms.

Systematics

Pol and Norell (2004) found "Zaraaduchus shepardi" to be the sister taxon of "Gobiosuchus kielanae", united by 14 synapomorphies, primarily from the skull, forming the family Gobiosuchidae.

References

* Pol, D. & Norell, M. A., (2004). A new gobiosuchid crocodyliform taxon from the Cretaceous of Mongolia. "American Museum Novitates" 3458: 1-31.

External links

* [http://diglib1.amnh.org/novitates/i0003-0082-458-01-0001.pdf Pol & Norell (2004)]