โคราโตซูคัส จินตสกุลไล | Khoratosuchus jintasakuli
Lauprasert, Cuny, Thirakhupt & Suteethorn, 2009
Reconstruction: Scientists believe the ancient crocodile ate fish and could run very fast
Abstract:
A new slender-snouted neosuchian crocodyliform, Khoratosuchus jintasakuli gen. et sp. nov., is described from the late Early Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation of NE Thailand. This discovery represents the youngest and most advanced Mesozoic crocodyliform known in Thailand on the basis of the following cranial features: the secondary choanae are relatively posterior and almost enclosed by the pterygoid; the lateral margin of the maxilla is relatively straight without lateral constrictions; the dorsal surface of the skull lacks ridges and fossae; maxillary teeth are homodontous; the anterior end of the jugal and prefrontal terminate at the same level. The specimen bears resemblances to Chinese and European derived neosuchians and suggests a close relationship between the late Early Cretaceous neosuchians of China, Europe and SE Asia.
New species: The skull of an ancient crocodile dug up in Thailand, shown from above
The skull from the side. Scientists believe the ancient crocodile ate fish and could run very fast
Original Description:
Lauprasert, K.; Cuny, G.; Thirakhupt, K. and Suteethorn, V. 2009. Khoratosuchus jintasakuli gen. et sp. nov., an advanced neosuchian crocodyliform from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian) of NE Thailand. In E. Buffetaut, G. Cuny, J. Le Loeuff, V. Suteethorn (eds.), Late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Ecosystems in SE Asia. The Geological Society of London, Special Publication 315:175-187. : http://sp.lyellcollection.org/content/315/1/175
