Baru

Taxobox
name = "Baru"
fossil_range = Late Oligocene - Middle Miocene
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
ordo = Crocodilia
familia = Crocodylidae
subfamilia = Mekosuchinae
genus = "Baru"
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
*"B. darrowi"
*"B. huberi"
*"B. wickeni"

"Baru" was an extinct genus of Australian mekosuchine crocodylian. It was semi-aquatic, around 4 m (13 ft) in length. Being semi-aquatic its habitat was around fresh pools of water in wet forests, ambushing their prey, much like modern species. The word "Baru" is Aboriginal and means "crocodile's ancestor".

Fossils have been found in Australia at Riversleigh in north-western Queensland and Alcoota Station it the Northern Territory.

Species

There are currently three valid species within the genus "Baru". The type species "B. darrowi" is known from the Middle Miocene of the Northern Territory and is the largest reaching size of 4-5 m in length, whilst two older species, "B. huberi" and "B. wickeni" are known from the Late Oligocene of Queensland.

External links

* [http://www.lostkingdoms.com/facts/factsheet35.htm Australia's Lost Kingdoms]
* [http://members.ozemail.com.au/~pwillis/pages/publications%20&%20research/Recons.html Reconstructing Dead Aussie Crocs]