Saltoposuchus
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Saltoposuchus Temporal range: Late Triassic, 220 Ma |
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| Life restoration | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Informal group: | Sphenosuchia |
| Family: |
†Saltoposuchidae Crush, 1984 |
| Genus: |
†Saltoposuchus von Huene, 1921 |
| Type species | |
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†Saltoposuchus connectens von Huene, 1921 |
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Saltoposuchus is an extinct genus of small (1-1.5 m and 10-15 kg), long-tailed crocodylomorph reptile (Sphenosuchia), from the Norian (Late Triassic) of Europe. The name translated means "leaping foot crocodile". It has been proposed that Terrestrisuchus gracilis and Saltoposuchus connectens represent different ontogenetic stages of the same genus.Saltoposuchus is commonly (and incorrectly) referred to in popular literature as the ancestor (or close ancestors) to dinosaurs, however, recent scientific research show that this is not the case.
Fossil evidence of Sphenosuchia and early crocodylomorphs lead Paleontologist to conclude that Saltoposuchus is a terrestrial animal. As a monophyletic group of crocodylomorphs, Saltoposuchidae have many key morphological traits shared with most crocodylomorphs.
Much like other crocodylomorphs, Saltoposuchus skulls had a (reduced) antorbital fenestra, an overhanging squamosal bone, and a medially shifted, forwards sloping quadrate and quadratojugal.Saltoposuchus have a long pointed skull and slender pointed teeth. The pointed teeth of Saltoposuchus indicate that this species is most likely carnivorous. At the back of the skull, Saltoposuchus share many specializations of crocodylomorphs including a square skull table made out of post-orbital and Squamosal bones which overhangs the temporal region, a lateral mandibular fenestra, and a cheek region that is overhung by the squamosal. In Sphenosucians, the quadrate head makes contact with the prootic and squamosal bones.
Saltoposuchus a long backward pointing spine at the Coracoid. Another key feature of Saltoposuchus includes a non-preforated acetabulum (hip joint), which is a defining characteristic of all dinosaurs.Saltoposuchus were also considered to be bipedal based on its skeletal constitution, but could walk on all four limbs as well, making it a facultative biped. Saltoposuchus also had a double row of bony Scutes along its back, which can be seen on modern crocodilians today. Like with other Sphenosuchians and early crocodylomorphs, Saltoposuchus had fully erect slender limbs, a slender body, and long legs. Paleontologists believe that with their body structures that Saltoposuchus were very fast and nimble. Sphenosuchians are described as "greyhound dog[s] with scales and a long tail." Early crocodylomorphs, such as Saltoposuchus, have very long centra in their vertabrae, short vertebral processes, and medium-sized zygapophyseal joints. Molnar et Al. concluded that the average mediolateral range of motion in the early crocodylomorphs was greater than dorsoventral range of motion, and dorsoventral stiffness was estimated to be higher than mediolateral stiffness. In the wrists of Saltoposuchus, the radiale and ulnare are elongated into rod shaped elements instead of being button-shaped, which is a shared characteristic among crocodylomorphs.
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