[Paleontology • 2026] Climate-extreme-driven Genesis of A Cretaceous Dinosaur Lagerstätte

 

 in Fanti, Consorti, Muscioni, Baldassari, Dinelli, Polentarutti, ... et Chiarenza. 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2026.105589 

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Artwork by palaeoartist Davide Bonadonna

Highlights: 

• Monsoon-driven storms created a Cretaceous dinosaur Lagerstätte.

• Tidal microcouplets yield an unprecedented ∼40-year chronometry.

• Synchrotron micro-XRF/XRD maps refute seasonal varve interpretation.

• Microbial mats enabled rapid sealing and exceptional soft-tissue preservation.

• New genetic model and toolkit for climate event-driven preservation in carbonates.

Abstract

Konservat-Lagerstätten provide exceptional records of past ecosystems, yet the environmental and climatic processes governing their formation in extreme climatic regimes remain a significant, unresolved conundrum. Here we present a novel, process-based mechanism for the Villaggio del Pescatore Konservat-Lagerstätte (northeastern Italy; Late Cretaceous, 80 Ma), which preserves a diverse terrestrial and aquatic biota. Integrating high resolution synchrotron micro-analyses, bulk geochemistry, detailed taphonomy and palaeoclimate simulations we identify a dynamic, monsoon-paced tidal flat ecosystem within a carbonate coastal margin. Field and core records comprise metrescale packages of laterally persistent light–dark laminae; microstratigraphic, spectral and statistical analyses indicate a semidiurnal tidal regime with neap–spring modulation. MicroXRF/XRD mapping reveals that individual microlaminae within couplets share the same elemental inventory refuting a seasonal varve origin. Laminae chronometry, tied to the tidal interpretation, constrains net accumulation of the fossil bearing rhythmites to decadal (∼40 year) timescales. Geochemical proxies record alternating terrigenous rich, high TOC intervals and drier, better oxygenated intervals. Palaeoclimate model ensembles diagnose a vigorous, summer dominated monsoon domain at ∼29° N under greenhouse boundary conditions. We document that episodic monsoon enhanced flood and tropical cyclone pulses delivered sediment, nutrients, carcasses and plant debris to a microbially active, carbonate tidal flat; microbial mats rapidly stabilised and promoted early cementation, enabling exceptional soft tissue preservation. We propose a genetic model in which monsoon–cyclone forcing, tidal trapping and microbial sealing combine to produce decadal, daily resolved vertebrate Lagerstätten in greenhouse settings, offering predictive targets for similar deposits and deep time analogues for modern coastal change.

Keywords: Exceptional fossil preservation, Dinosauria, Crocodylomorpha, Arthropoda, Plants, Italy

“Stormbringer” — palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of Villaggio del Pescatore
The artwork shows a Tethyshadros insularis carcass and an Acynodon crocodylian on a storm-swept tropical tidal flat, beneath the monsoon clouds and a distant cyclone that the study identifies as the engine of the site’s formation.

 by palaeoartist Davide Bonadonna. 

 

Federico Fanti, Lorenzo Consorti, Marco Muscioni, Lorenzo Baldassari, Enrico Dinelli, Maurizio Polentarutti, Giorgio Bais, Alexander Farnsworth, Evelyn Kustatscher, Amalia Spina and Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza. 2026. Climate-extreme-driven Genesis of A Cretaceous Dinosaur Lagerstätte. Global and Planetary Change.  265, October 2026, 105589. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2026.105589

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[Paleontology • 2026] Antusuchus rionegrinus • A New early peirosaurid terrestrial Crocodile (Notosuchia: Peirosauridae) from La Buitrera (Candeleros Formation), Río Negro, Argentina

Antusuchus rionegrinus 

Fernández-Dumont, Apesteguía, Pol, Bona, Pérez Mayoral & Vega, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2026.2683112  

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ABSTRACT

Notosuchia represents one of the most morphologically diverse groups of Mesozoic crocodyliforms and was particularly abundant in the Cretaceous of Gondwana. Among them, Peirosauridae comprises medium-sized terrestrial predators widely distributed across southern continents during the Late Cretaceous. Here we describe a new peirosaurid crocodyliform, Antusuchus rionegrinus gen. et sp. nov., from the Cenomanian Candeleros Formation of the Neuquén Basin (Río Negro Province, Argentina). The material, recovered from the La Buitrera Palaeontological Area, includes cranial and postcranial remains. Micro-computed tomography and anatomical comparisons reveal a unique combination of characters, including a short rostrum, an elongated palatal depression adjacent to the maxillary tooth row, a rod-shaped jugal bar, and a prominent sagittal crest. The dentition is ziphodont and includes a hypertrophied third maxillary tooth, consistent with predatory habits. Phylogenetic analyses recover Antusuchus rionegrinus as the earliest-branching member of Peirosauridae, sister to all remaining peirosaurids. This discovery provides new insights into the early evolution of peirosaurids and highlights the importance of the La Buitrera fauna for understanding mid-Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems and the diversification of notosuchian crocodyliforms.

KEYWORDS: Peirosauridae, La Buitrera, Cretaceous, Notosuchia, Candeleros Formation, Neuquén Basin

Systematic Palaeontology

Crocodyliformes Hay, 1930

Notosuchia Gasparini, 1971 [Ruiz et al., 2021]

Peirosauria Leardi et al., 2024

Peirosauridae Gasparini, 1982 [Leardi et al., 2024]

Antusuchus rionegrinus gen. et sp. nov.

 

Etymology: Antu means sun in the Mapudungún language. Suchus is Latinised from Greek Souchos in references to the Egyptian crocodile-headed god Sebek. Rionegrinus named after Río Negro Province.

Holotype: MPCA PV 1294 (Figures 37), articulated skull and jaws.

 

Geographical and geological proceeding: The material was found in rocks representing the last 50 m of the Candeleros Formation deposit, at the base of the levels containing the La Buitrera fauna. The site corresponds to the base of the ‘Cañadón de Las Tortugas’ site, within the La Buitrera locality, one of the localities of the LBPA.

Diagnosis: A notosuchian crocodyliform characterised by the following unique combination of characters (autapomorphies indicated with asterisk): third premaxillary tooth larger than the fourth; large elongated depression close to the medial margin of the mid maxillary toothrow*; rostrum shorter than 50% of the total skull length; maxillary contribution to antorbital fossa as dorsoventrally high as the maxillary lateral surface between antorbital fossa and alveolar margin and extending posteriorly up to the posterior end of the antorbital fossa*; antorbital fossa restricted to posteroventral corner of antorbital fenestra; lacrimal extensively sutured to jugal; subtriangular ...

  

María Lucila Fernández-Dumont, Sebastián Apesteguía, Diego Pol, Paula Bona, Joaquín Pérez Mayoral and Nahuel Vega. 2026. A New early peirosaurid terrestrial Crocodile (Notosuchia) from La Buitrera (Candeleros Formation), Río Negro, Argentina. Historical Biology: An International Journal of Paleobiology. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2026.2683112 [23 Jun 2026]

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[Paleontology • 2026] Carinthiasuchus kandutschi • A New Archosaur (Reptilia: Diapsida) from the Triassic of Austria

 

Carinthiasuchus kandutschi 

 Vecchia & Cau, 2026 

DOI: doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/29890

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Abstract 

A partial skeleton of a small reptile with a distinctive maxilla, dentition, caudal vertebrae and osteoderms from the marine Partnach Formation (Ladinian-earliest Carnian) near Jadersdorf (Gitschtal, Hermagor) in the Gailtal Alps of Carinthia (Austria), represents a new archosaur taxon Carinthiasuchus kandutschi gen. n. sp. n.. It is diagnosed by autapomorphies in the anterior process and subnarial foramen of the maxilla, accessory articular processes in the neural arches of mid-distal caudal vertebrae, and shape and arrangement of the caudal osteoderms. It also shows a unique combination of features regarding the extent of the antorbital fossa in the maxilla and the morphology of its ventral edge, dentary shape, dentition, caudal vertebrae elongation and morphology. A segment of 16 mid-distal caudal vertebrae is one of the better articulated tail segments ever found in Triassic archosaurs, showing the arrangement of the dorsal osteoderms and the presence of accessory processes in the neural arches stiffening the posterior termination of the tail. Phylogenetic analysis recovered Carinthiasuchus kandutschi as a pseudosuchian in a basal position within the Poposauroidea. Absence of swimming adaptation in the tail and the presence of terrestrial plant remains in the same outcrop suggest terrestrial habits for this archosaur reptile.

Carinthiasuchus kandutschi, gen. n. sp. n., Nockalm7030u, holotype. Scale bar equals 100 mm.

Carinthiasuchus kandutschi, gen. n. sp. n., Nockalm7030u, ho-lotype, skull and mandible. (A) Photograph, (B) drawing (bone is gray and teeth darker gray).

Abbreviations: d, den-tary; f, frontal; j, jugal; la, lacrimal; mx, maxilla; n, nasal; pt, pterygoid; q, quadrate; snf, subnarial foramen; sq, squamo-sal; th, tooth; v, vomer; *, left element.

Legenda: 1 = actual margin of the bone; 2 = broken margin of the bone; 3 = margin of the impression of the bone; 4 = probable margin of the skeletal element; 5 = broken surface of the skeletal element. Scale bar is 10 mm.

Reptilia Laurenti, 1768 sensu Modesto & Anderson, 2004

Diapsida Osborn, 1903 

Archosauromorpha von Huene, 1946 sensu Dilkes, 1998

Archosauriformes Gauthier, Kluge & Rowe,1988

Archosauria Cope, 1869

Pseudosuchia Zittel, 1887-1890

Suchia Krebs, 1974 (sensu Nesbitt, 2011)

Paracrocodylomorpha Parrish, 1993

Poposauroidea Nopcsa, 1923

Carinthiasuchus kandutschi gen. n. sp. n.

Holotype: Nockalm7030u, part of the skull including the right maxilla with two teeth, part of the two mandibular rami, and parts of the mid-distal portion of the tail with osteoderms (Fig. 3).

Locality and stratigraphic horizon: Southern flank of Mt. Großboden NE of Jadersdorf in the Gitschtal close to Hermagor, Carinthia, SE Austria. Partnach-Schichten/Fellbach Kalk, Ladinian-lo-wermost Carnian.

Diagnosis. Carinthiasuchus kandutschi gen. n. sp. n. is an archosaur (see discussion) with the following apomorphies: short, straight and pointed anterior process of the maxilla with a dorsal articular facet and bordering dorsally a comparatively large subnarial foramen; accessory articular processes of the neural arches in the last middle and in the distal caudal vertebrae; paired and symmetrical paramedian osteoderms above the proximal mid-caudal vertebrae, drop-shaped, with coarse denticles along the margins posteriorly, with longitudinal median ridge dorsally but without sculpturing; single median row of elongated and lying 8-shaped osteoderms in the following mid-distal caudals with three osteoderms per vertebra, one above the middle of the vertebra and half on the anterior and ...

Etymology: The genus is named after Carinthia, the Latin name of Kärnten, the southernmost federate state of Austria where the specimen was discovered and the Greek term soúkhos (σούχος) for crocodile. The species name is inhonourof the discoverer of the holotype, Georg Kandutsch (Arriach/Hinterwinkl, Austria).

FABIO MARCO DALLA VECCHIA and ANDREA CAU. 2026. Carinthiasuchus kandutschi, A NEW ARCHOSAUR (REPTILIA: DIAPSIDA) from the Triassic of AUSTRIA. RIVISTA ITALIANA DI PALEONTOLOGIA E STRATIGRAFIA. 132(2); DOI: doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/29890 [08-06-2026]

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[Paleontology • 2026] Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa • A Short-snouted ‘sphenosuchian’ with unusual Feeding Anatomy demonstrates that Ecological Specialization occurred early in Crocodylomorph Evolution

 

Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa

Margulis-Ohnuma, Ruebenstahl, Meyer & Bhullar, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.0130 

Art by Julio Lacerda

Abstract

The early evolution and diversification of Crocodylomorpha is a key component of vertebrate evolution on land but is somewhat poorly understood as a result of limited data. We describe Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa gen. et sp. nov., an early crocodylomorph from the Late Triassic of Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, whose cranial anatomy is divergent from that of other early crocodylomorphs (including Hesperosuchus agilis, to which it had been tentatively assigned), featuring an unusually short and osteologically reinforced facial region. A robust upper temporal arch and prominent surangular ridge indicate the presence of well-developed superficial external adductor musculature, which is divergent relative to pseudosuchians generally. These autapomorphies suggest specialization for a powerful bite. Bayesian and maximum parsimony phylogenetic analyses find E. lacrimosa outside of an H. agilis clade, near the base of Crocodylomorpha. The specializations of E. lacrimosa therefore represent the beginnings of ecological diversification within Crocodylomorpha among animals of a similar size, predating the Late Triassic appearance of Crocodyliformes and the Jurassic radiation of mesoeucrocodylians. Coexistence in the same single-event death assemblage of E. lacrimosa and H. agilis—two small early crocodylomorphs with functionally significant anatomical differences—suggests partitioning of terrestrial carnivorous niches within the ‘sphenosuchian’ grade.

Keywords: Crocodylomorpha, Sphenosuchia, Triassic, Hesperosuchus agilis, phylogenetics

Photographs and line drawings of the skull of Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa as preserved and prepared in right ventrolateral view (a, c) and left dorsolateral view (b, d). Grey shading represents matrix or bones of other individuals; halftone represents areas of breakage.

Abbreviations: an, angular; e, ectopterygoid; f, frontal; j, jugal; l, lacrimal; m, maxilla; n, nasal; pa, prearticular; pb, palpebral; pl, palatine; pm, premaxilla; po, postorbital; pt, pterygoid; sa, surangular; tpt, transverse process of the pterygoid. Scale bar is 2 cm.

 

ARCHOSAURIA Cope, 1869 (Gauthier & Padian [2020])

PSEUDOSUCHIA Zittel, 1887 

CROCODYLOMORPHA Hay, 1930 (emend. Walker [1970])

Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa gen. et sp. nov.

 

 Etymology: Eosphorosuchus derives from ‘Eosphoros,’ one of two Greek gods representing the planet Venus and the counterpart of Hesperos. As Eosphoros was the ‘dawn-bringer’, this name highlights both the dawning of crocodylomorph ecological diversity and the close historic association of this specimen with the genus Hesperosuchus. ‘Suchus’ derives from ‘soukhos’, Greek for crocodile. The specific epithet lacrimosa refers to the distinctive lacrimal region.

 

Miranda Margulis-Ohnuma; Alexander A. Ruebenstahl; Dalton L. Meyer and Bhart-Anjan S. Bhullar. 2026. A Short-snouted ‘sphenosuchian’ with unusual Feeding Anatomy demonstrates that Ecological Specialization occurred early in Crocodylomorph Evolution. Proc Biol Sci . 293 (2069): 20260130. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.0130 [15 Apr 2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Indosinosuchus peninsularensis • A new teleosaurid (Crocodylomorpha: Thalattosuchia) from the Sibumasu Terrane of Southeast Asia and A Taxonomic Reassessment of Indosinosuchus

 

Indosinosuchus peninsularensis 

Lauprasert, Nilpanapan, Martin, Claude, Kamonlak Wongko, Kantanat Trakunweerayut, Dobutr, Manitkoon, Bhuttarach & Nonsrirach, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20944  

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Abstract 

We describe teleosaurid remains from the Middle to Upper Jurassic Khlong Min Formation at Ban Nam Pun in southern Thailand and define Indosinosuchus peninsularensis sp. nov. This new species is diagnosed by a unique combination of cranial and postcranial features, including the nasal reaching anteriorly at the level of the 18th maxillary alveolus, absence of an incisive foramen, oval-shaped external nares, and broad ornamented osteoderms. Phylogenetic analysis positions I. peninsularensis within a polytomy alongside Mystriosaurus laurillardi and other Asian teleosaurids, supporting a monophyletic Teleosauroidea. In addition, the revision of Indosinosuchus kalasinensis as a junior synonym of I. potamosiamensis also strengthens the taxonomic framework of the genus Indosinosuchus. Indosinosuchus peninsularensis sp. nov., discovered in a low-energy lagoonal environment, offers significant insights on the ecological preferences of teleosaurids. In contrast to the fluvially deposited Phu Kradung Formation of northeastern Thailand, the lagoonal and marginal marine sediments of the Khlong Min Formation are considered indicative of a broad spectrum of habitat occupation by Asian teleosauroids. Based on these observations, a high degree of ecological plasticity has been inferred for Thai teleosaurids, and their extensive dispersal across both the Sibumasu and Indochina terranes during the Middle to Late Jurassic has been further substantiated. The recognition of I. peninsularensis sp. nov. contributes to our understanding of teleosaurid diversity and paleobiogeography in Southeast Asia.

Keywords: Indosinosuchus, Khlong Min Formation, Sibumasu, Phu Kradung Formation, Indochina

Indosinosuchus peninsularensis sp. nov. from the Khong Min Formation, Ban Nam Pun, southern Thailand. Photographs and interpretive drawings of Indosinosuchus peninsularensis sp. nov. from the Khong Min Formation, Ban Nam Pun, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, southern Thailand.
PRC-205: anterior rostrum in dorsal view (A, B) and dorsal vertebrae in ventral view (C, D). PRC-206: osteoderms and dorsal vertebrae in dorsal view (E, F) and ventral view (G, H).

Abbreviations: dv, dorsal vertebrae; en, external nares; mx, maxilla; n, nasal; ost, osteoderm; pmx, premaxilla.

CROCODYLOMORPHA Hay, 1930

THALATTOSUCHIA Fraas, 1901

NEOTHALATTOSUCHIA Young et al., 2024a; Young et al., 2024b

TELEOSAUROIDEA Delfino & Dal Sasso, 2006

TELEOSAURIDAE Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831

Genus Indosinosuchus Martin et al., 2019

Indosinosuchus peninsularensis 

Holotype: PRC 205 and PRC 206, comprising an anterior portion of the rostrum, osteoderms, and dorsal vertebrae.

Type locality: Ban Nam Pun, Bang Khan District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, southern Thailand.

Stratigraphic occurrence: Lower part of the Khlong Min Formation, Thung Yai Group, late Middle Jurassic to early Late Jurassic.

Diagnosis. Indosinosuchus peninsularensis, PRC 205, is characterized by the following combination of characters (autapomorphies denoted with*): (1) four premaxillary alveoli; (2) moderately laterally expanded premaxilla with subequal length and width, producing a broad yet unflared outline; (3) margin of premaxillary-maxillary suture is concave between the 4th premaxillary –1st maxillary alveoli; (4) the external narial opening is subcircular or slightly ‘8-shaped’ in dorsal view; (5) absence of incisive foramen at medial contact of premaxillae*; (6) anterior tip of nasals reaching the level of the 18th maxillary alveolus*.

Locality, lithostratigraphy, and petrographic characteristics of the fossiliferous limestone within the Khlong Min Formation at Ban Nam Pun, southern Thailand.
(A) Tectonic subdivision map of Thailand (modified after Udchachon et al., 2022), illustrating the distribution of Jurassic sedimentary rock units (based on Meesook & Saengsrichan, 2011). The Khlong Min Formation, including the Ban Nam Pun locality, is situated within the Sibumasu Terrane, whereas the Phu Kradung Formation and its equivalents are located within the Indochina and Sukhothai Terranes. (B) Simplified geological map of the Krabi–Khlong Thom–Trang region (adapted from Thailand Department of Mineral Resources, 1999; Meesook & Saengsrichan, 2011), with the study site marked by a red star.
(C) Field photograph of the fossiliferous limestone outcrop intercalated with mudstone. The rock hammer (circled) is 30 cm in length for scale. (D–F) Close-up view of fossiliferous limestone rich in bivalves, (D) Modiolus sp. assemblage, (E) Actinostreon sp. (F) Protocardia sp. (G) MF1: Bioclast wackestone characterized by shell fragments, benthic foraminifera (f), and peloids (p). The yellow arrow indicates a bivalve shell with geopetal fabric: the lower portion infilled with micritic matrix and peloids, and the upper portion filled with sparry calcite cement. (H) MF2: Bioclast-peloidal packstone to grainstone, dominated by peloids (p) and benthic foraminifers (f) with minor ostracod shells (o).

 Komsorn Lauprasert, Apirut Nilpanapan, Jeremy E. Martin, Julien Claude, Kamonlak Wongko, Kantanat Trakunweerayut, Nuntida Dobutr, Sita Manitkoon, Supanut Bhuttarach and Thanit Nonsrirach. 2026. A new teleosaurid (Crocodylomorpha, Thalattosuchia) from the Sibumasu Terrane of Southeast Asia and A Taxonomic Reassessment of Indosinosuchus. PeerJ. 14:e20944. DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20944 [2026-03-20]

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[Paleontology • 2026] Galahadosuchus jonesi • A Second Species of non-crocodyliform Crocodylomorph from the Late Triassic fissure deposits of southwestern UK: Implications for locomotory ecological diversity in Saltoposuchidae

 

 Galahadosuchus jonesi 

Bodenham, Spiekman, Maidment, Upchurch & Mannion, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.70162

Artwork by M. Dempsey. facebook.com/MEDPalaeo

Abstract

The Late Triassic–Early Jurassic fissures of the Bristol Channel area (southwest England and south Wales) are renowned for their diverse vertebrate faunas. These assemblages have yielded an array of predominantly small-bodied forms that are crucial to our understanding of the early evolution of several major tetrapod clades. Although their dating remains contentious, these deposits provide a valuable insight into biodiversity at a key time in Earth history, given that they span the end-Triassic mass extinction. One of these fissure-fill taxa, Terrestrisuchus gracilis, represents one of the most completely preserved early-branching crocodylomorphs. This species currently occurs exclusively in Late Triassic deposits within the Pant-y-Ffynnon Quarry, whereas only generically indeterminate crocodylomorph remains have been recorded from other fissures in the Bristol Channel area to date. Here we present a detailed anatomical description of a specimen previously assigned to Terrestrisuchus sp. (NHMUK PV R 10002), which comprises the semi-articulated partial postcranial skeleton of a crocodylomorph from the Late Triassic fissure deposits of Cromhall Quarry in the Bristol Channel area. We incorporated NHMUK PV R 10002 into a pre-existing data matrix comprising 39 other operational taxonomic units scored for 138 morphological characters. Phylogenetic analysis under Maximum Parsimony recovers NHMUK PV R 10002 as the sister taxon to Terrestrisuchus, clustering in all cases with the contemporaneous German species Saltoposuchus connectens to form the non-crocodyliform crocodylomorph clade Saltoposuchidae. Under equal and extended implied weights, the Early Jurassic South African species Litargosuchus leptorhynchus and the Late Triassic US species Hesperosuchus agilis, respectively, are additional saltoposuchids. Although NHMUK PV R 10002 exhibits a high degree of morphological similarity to Terrestrisuchus, key differences are evident in the morphology of the dorsal vertebrae, fore- and hindlimb long bones, proximal carpals, metacarpals, and calcaneum. We therefore designate NHMUK PV R 10002 as the holotype of Galahadosuchus jonesi n. gen. n. sp. Several anatomical features indicate that Galahadosuchus was a highly gracile, cursorial terrestrial quadruped with an erect stance, including: elongate proximal carpals; long, slender, and tightly bunched metacarpals; development of a distinct, medially directed femoral head; and a classical crurotarsal ankle joint configuration. A similar stance is also reconstructed for Terrestrisuchus; however, some of the anatomical differences between these two taxa, including the relative proportions and morphology of limb and carpal bones, might correspond to differences in locomotory function, potentially reflecting varying specializations within early-branching crocodylomorphs.

Block A of NHMUK PV R 10002, the holotype of  Galahadosuchus jonesi n. gen. n. sp. 
(a) Photograph of block A in plan view. (b) Line drawing of the elements visible on block A in plan view. Elements visible on the right-hand side of the block (colored hues) are assigned to Galahadosuchus jonesi; elements on the left-hand side of the block (shades of gray) are identified as indeterminate remains of a rhynchocephalian.

as, astragalus; ca, calcaneum; cd, caudal vertebra; ch, chevron; dc, distal carpal; dors, dorsal vertebra; fe, femur; ga, gastralia; ibf, indeterminate bone fragment; is, ischium; mc, metacarpal; mph, manual phalanx; mt, metatarsal; os, osteoderm; pph, pedal phalanx; pu, pubis; ra, radiale; rd, radius; ti, tibia; ul, ulna; ulr, ulnare. Scale bar represents 100 mm.

Archosauria Cope, 1869–1870 (sensu Gauthier & Padian, 2020).

Crocodylomorpha (Hay, 1930, sensu Nesbitt, 2011).

Saltoposuchidae (Crush, 1984, sensu Spiekman, 2023).

Galahadosuchus gen. nov.

Etymology. “Galahad” from Arthurian legend, a knight renowned for his moral uprightness; combined with “suchus” from the Greek for crocodile. The genus name alludes to the upright posture of the taxon, playing on the dual sense of “upright” as both moral and physical.

 

Galahadosuchus jonesi, sp. nov.

Etymology. The species epithet honors David Rhys Jones, a teacher at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, in recognition of his work inspiring students at the school (including EHB) to pursue their passion for science.

Life reconstruction of Galahadosuchus jonesi n. gen. n. sp.
 The morphology of regions of the body that are not currently known for Galahadosuchus jonesi (i.e., not preserved in NHMUK PV R 10002) is inferred from comparison with Terrestrisuchus gracilis (Spiekman et al., 2023, 2024) due to the high degree of morphological similarity between these two taxa. Scale bar represents 100 mm.

Artwork by M. Dempsey. facebook.com/MEDPalaeo

Ewan H. Bodenham, Stephan N. F. Spiekman, Susannah C. R. Maidment, Paul Upchurch, Philip D. Mannion. 2026. A Second Species of non-crocodyliform Crocodylomorph from the Late Triassic fissure deposits of southwestern UK: Implications for locomotory ecological diversity in Saltoposuchidae. The Anatomical Record. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.70162 [12 February 2026]

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[Paleontology • 2025] Kostensuchus atrox • A New large hypercarnivorous Crocodyliform (Mesoeucrocodylia: Peirosauridae) from the Maastrichtian of Southern Patagonia, Argentina

 

Kostensuchus atrox

Novas, Pol, Agnolín, Carvalho, Manabe, Tsuihiji, Rozadilla, Lio & Isasi, 2025

  

DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328561

Abstract

The first crocodyliform specimen from the Maastrichtian Chorrillo Formation (Austral Basin, Patagonia) is here described. The discovery was made about 30 km to the SW of the town of El Calafate (Province of Santa Cruz, Argentina) and consists of a beautifully preserved and articulated skull and jaws, and part of the postcranial skeleton that were preserved encased in a large concretion. This new taxon belongs to the notosuchian clade Peirosauridae, representing the latest and southernmost record for this group of crocodyliforms. The new taxon is recovered as closely related to other robust and broad-snouted peirosaurids that lived by the end of the Cretaceous Period, such as Colhuehuapisuchus from the Maastrichtian of Central Patagonia and Miadanasuchus oblita from the Maastrichtian of Madagascar. The completeness of the new specimen reveals, for the first time, the anatomy and body plan of a large and broad snouted peirosaurid. The new taxon bears large ziphodont teeth, a broad oreinirostral snout that is only slightly longer than 50% the skull length, and a deep adductor chamber in the temporal region and posterior mandibular ramus. The anterior region of its postcranial skeleton is preserved and shows broad scapula and a robust humerus features previously known in large predatorial notosuchians. The new crocodyliform adds to the predatorial component of terrestrial ecosystems at high paleolatitudes by the end of the Cretaceous Period.

Systematic paleontology

Crocodyliformes Hay, 1930

Mesoeucrocodylia Whetstone and Whybrow, 1980

Peirosauria Leardi et al., 2024

Peirosauridae Gasparini, 1982

Kostensuchus atrox gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. Kosten, refers to the Patagonian wind in Aonikenk language; and suchus, latinized from the Greek Souchos in references to the Egyptian crocodile-headed god (Sebek). The species epithet atrox means harsh in Greek.

Holotype. MPM-PV 23554, articulated skull, jaws, cervical, axial skeleton remains including cervical, dorsal, and sacrals, rows of osteoderms along the vertebral sequence, cervical and dorsal ribs, scapular and pelvic girdles, complete right humerus and partial left humerus, and fragmentary remains of the hindlimbs.

Locality, horizon, and age. Lower section of the Chorrillo Formation, at Estancia La Anita, approximately 30 km SW from El Calafate city (Fig 1). The specimen comes from a concretionary level exposed at the locality “Puma cave” (locality 4, 5), approximately 60 meters from the base of the Chorrillo Formation.

Diagnosis. Kostensuchus gen. nov. is among the largest known peirosaurids (dorsal skull length = 49 cm) diagnosed by the following combination of characters (autapomorphies marked by *): skull proportionally shorter, wider and higher than in other peirosaurids (e.g., Hamadasuchus, Lomasuchus, Montealtosuchus); rostrum comprising slightly over 50% the total skull length; sinusoidal alveolar margin of maxilla (shared with Hamadasuchus); completely ossified internarial bar; lacrimal lateral surface faintly ornamented and slightly depressed between antorbital fenestra and orbit*; jugal reaching the ventral end of a circular antorbital fenestra; subtrapezoidal external supratemporal fenestra, occupying close to 70% of skull roof width; absence of anterior floor of supratemporal fossa; flat dorsal surface of parietal in occipital view; distinct step on dorsal surface of the posterolateral process of squamosal; broad palatine anterior margin, forming a bread transversal suture with maxilla; paired parasagittal ridges on the ventral surface of the basisphenoid; convex dorsal edge of surangular and craniomandibular articulation located above the level of dentary toothrow; ziphodont teeth; humerus with vertical orientation of insertion area of M. subscapularis above internal tuberosity; distal end of deltopectoral crest curves medially surpassing the lateromedial midpoint of humeral shaft; anterior surface of distal end of humerus separated from shaft by a distinct step forming a shelf.

Skull and jaw of Kostensuchus atrox gen. et sp. nov.
Photographs in (A) right lateral, (B) dorsal, and (C) ventral views. Interpretative drawings in (D) right lateral, (E) dorsal, and (F) ventral views.

 Abbreviations: ang, angular; ap, anterior palpebral; de, dentary; ec, ectopterygoid; fr, frontal; j, jugal; la, lacrimal; mx, maxilla; pa, parietal; pal, palatine; pmx, premaxilla; pnf, perinarial fossa; po, postorbital; pp, posterior palpebral; pt, pterygoid; q, quadrate; qj, quadratojugal; na, nasal; rarp, retroarticular process; sang, surangular; sof, suborbital fossa; spl, splenial; sq, squamosal; stf, subtympanic foramen. Scale bar 5 cm.

 

 Fernando E. Novas, Diego Pol, Federico L. Agnolín, Ismar de Souza Carvalho, Makoto Manabe, Takanobu Tsuihiji, Sebastián Rozadilla, Gabriel L. Lio and Marcelo P. Isasi. 2025. A New large hypercarnivorous Crocodyliform from the Maastrichtian of Southern Patagonia, Argentina. PLoS One. 20(8): e0328561.  DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328561 [August 27, 2025]

 

[Paleontology • 2019] Portugalosuchus azenhae • A New Eusuchian Crocodylomorph from the Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous) of Portugal reveals Novel Implications on the Origin of Crocodylia

Portugalosuchus azenhae 

Mateus, Puértolas-Pascual & Callapez, 2019

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zly064

Abstract

The fossil record of Eusuchia extends back to the Early Cretaceous (Barremian), with the English species Hylaeochampsa vectiana being the oldest known representative of the clade so far. However, the eusuchian record from the Barremian to the Santonian is scarce and fragmentary worldwide. Here we described a new eusuchian crocodylomorph based on a partial skull and lower jaw from the Early Upper Cenomanian of the Tentugal Formation, in the Baixo Mondego region, west-central Portugal. The specimen exhibits a series of characters not seen in other taxa, allowing its assignment to a new genus and species named Portugalosuchus azenhae gen. et sp. nov. The results of a cladistic analysis place this specimen within Crocodylia, as the sister taxon to all other non-gavialoid crocodylians. Therefore, this Portuguese specimen represents the only well-documented and valid eusuchian species in the Cenomanian in Europe, and may be the oldest representative of Crocodylia known so far, helping to fill a gap in the fossil record of Eusuchia from the Barremian to the Campanian. In addition, the discovery of this new taxon sheds light on the radiation of Eusuchia and the origin of Crocodylia, which probably took place in Europe.  

Crocodylomorpha, Eusuchia, phylogeny, systematics

 

  

  

Octávio Mateus, Eduardo Puértolas-Pascual and Pedro M Callapez. 2019. A New Eusuchian Crocodylomorph from the Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous) of Portugal reveals Novel Implications on the Origin of Crocodylia. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, zly064.  DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zly064 

 

Descoberto em Portugal o mais antigo crocodilo fóssil do mundo tsf.pt/sociedade/interior/descoberto-em-portugal-o-mais-antigo-crocodilo-fossil-do-mundo-10286846.html

Portugalosuchus: Paleontólogos portugueses descobrem nova espécie: o mais antigo crocodilo fóssil conhecido dct.fct.unl.pt/investigacao/portugalosuchus

Paleontólogos portugueses descobrem o mais antigo crocodilo fóssil do mundo em Tentúgal: observador.pt/2018/12/06/paleontologos-portugueses-descobrem-o-mais-antigo-crocodilo-fossil/ via @observadorpt

Paleontologia. O fóssil de crocodilo mais antigo do mundo é de Tentúgal publico.pt/2018/12/06/ciencia/noticia/fossil-crocodilo-antigo-mundo-tentugal-1853821

[Paleontology • 2024] Cranial Anatomy of Acynodon adriaticus and extreme durophagous adaptations in Eusuchia (Reptilia: Crocodylomorpha)

 

Acynodon adriaticus Delfino, Martin & Buffetaut, 2008

in Muscioni, Chiarenza, Fernandez, Dreossi, Bacchia et Fanti. 2024.   

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.25574

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Artwork by Davide Bonadonna   facebook.com/DavideBonadonna1

Abstract

Acynodon adriaticus, a small eusuchian from the Late Cretaceous of Italy, is known for its well-preserved cranial and postcranial material. Despite its excellent preservation, many details remain hidden due to the physical overlap between the elements and matrix obliteration. We used Micro-CT scans to reveal previously overlooked anatomical features and describe in detail the cranial and dental anatomy of this taxon, shedding new light on its palaeoecology. The holotypic specimen, SC 57248, represents a mature individual exhibiting signs of hyperossification, developed ornamentation, and various pathologies, including jaw arthritis and a possible dental anomaly. Acynodon adriaticus exhibits significant durophagous adaptations, including a robust, brevirostrine skull optimized for powerful biting and stress-load capacity. Its specialized dentition, lacking caniniform teeth, features anterior chisel-like teeth and hypertrophic posterior molariforms with thick enamel, indicative of a diet specializing in hard-shelled prey. The dentition pattern, accelerated molariform replacement rate, and reduced orbit size suggest adaptations for durophagous foraging in turbid, densely vegetated aquatic environments. The paleoecological context during the Late Cretaceous, characterized by increased freshwater habitats and high invertebrate diversity, likely facilitated the evolution of such specialized traits in A. adriaticus. This small crocodylomorph likely foraged slowly in shallow, benthic environments, using its powerful bite to process mollusks and large arthropods. The study of A. adriaticus, along with comparisons with other crocodylomorphs and ecomorphologically similar taxa like Iharkutosuchus makadii and Gnatusuchus pebasensis, provides a valuable morphofunctional model for understanding the evolutionary pathways of extinct crocodylians to durophagy.

Keywords: Acynodon, Cretaceous, durophagy, Hylaeochampsidae, paleobiology

  Systematic paleontology

Crocodylomorpha Hay, 1930 sensu Nesbitt, 2011.

Neosuchia Benton & Clark, 1988.

Eusuchia Huxley, 1875 sensu Brochu, 2003.

Hylaeochampsidae Andrews, 1913.

Acynodon Buscalioni et al., 1997.

Acynodon adriaticus Delfino et al., 2008.

Schematic individual cranial bones of MCSNT 57248 in dorsal (a), ventral (b), lateral (c) and posterior (d) view. ...

 

Marco Muscioni, Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza, Diego Bladimir Haro Fernandez, Diego Dreossi, Flavio Bacchia, Federico Fanti. 2024. Cranial Anatomy of Acynodon adriaticus and extreme durophagous adaptations in Eusuchia (Reptilia: Crocodylomorpha). The Anatomical Record. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.25574

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  facebook.com/DavideBonadonna1/posts/1077033717762273

Nuove scoperte sul fossile di un coccodrillo di 80 milioni di anni al Villaggio del Pescatore

 www.nationalgeographic.it/nuove-scoperte-sul-fossile-di-un-coccodrillo-di-80-milioni-di-anni-al-villaggio-del-pescatore