Saurosuchus galilei (von Huene 1942) Late Triassic, ~210 mya, up to 7 m in length, was derived from a sister to Prestosuchus and is a sister to Postosuchus within the Rauisuchidae.
Distinct from Prestosuchus, the skull of Saurosuchus had a slit between the premaxilla and maxilla, known as the subnarial fenestra. The antorbital fenestra was slightly larger and triangular. The lateral temporal fenestra was also triangular with a greatly reduced squamosal. The tip of the rostrum was nearly right-angled. The posterior skull rose as an occipital plate.
The tail was longer and remained more robust posteriorly.
The ilium was much lower and overhung the femur. The pubis included a slight "boot." The calcaneal "heel" was enlarged. The pedal digits were further reduced.
As in Erythrosuchus, the reduction of the pedal digits was probably related to the recovery stroke of the relatively shortbut erect hind limb and the need to avoid dragging the toes. With such a long tail, the hind feet were very close to the center of gravity, reducing the need for the front limbs to carry weight, hence their reduction in size. |
