Notosuchus

Description

Its fossilised remains have been found in the Bajo de la Carpa Formation in Patagonia, Argentina. First named in 1896, Notosuchus was the first known notosuchian. The type species is N. terrestris. A second species, N. lepidus, was named in 1957.

A paper published in 2008 by Fiorelli and Calvo described new remains of the type species N. terrestris. In it, the authors suggested that the skull would have supported a short trunk, or "hog's snout" as well as fleshy upper and lower lips. The anteriorly directed nares and the absence of a bony nasal septum (which presumably indicates cartilaginous tissue serving its place) provide evidence for a trunk-like snout, while striations on the surface of the nasal bones and the lower jaw most likely acted as attachment points for the nasolabial muscles and the depressor muscle, respectively. Additionally, the authors suggested that a lateral rim on the dentary as well as numerous aligned neurovascular foramina are evidence of soft cheek-like muscular tissue. The function of the trunk was likely used for searching for food by sniffing the ground in a manner similar to extant suids and peccaries, while the cheeks would aid in mastication by preventing food loss.

The dentition of N. terrestris were heterodont and consisted of incisiform, caniniform, and molariform teeth. The teeth of N. terrestris had exceptionally thick cementum compared to other crocodylomorphs. They also had thick enamel, much like baurusuchids. Their teeth grew slowly, as evidenced by the lines of von Ebner found in their dentine.

Diet

References

References

1. (2001). "Hoja Geológica 3969-IV, General Roca. Provincias de Río Negro y Neuquén". Boletín Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino, Instituto de Geología y Recursos Minerales.
2. (1896). "On Two Mesozoic Crocodilians Notosuchus (Genus Novum) and Cynodontosuchus (Genus Novum) from the Red Sandstone of the Territory of Neuquen (Argentine Republic)". Anales del Museo de la Plata, Paleontologia Argentina.
3. (1957). "Crocodiloideos Fosiles Argentinos un nuevo Crocodilo del Mesozoico Argentino". [[Ameghiniana]].
4. Fiorelli, L. E.. (2008). "New remains of ''Notosuchus terrestris'' Woodward, 1896 (Crocodyliformes: Mesoeucrocodylia) from Late Cretaceous of Neuquen, Patagonia, Argentina". Arquivos do Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro.
5. Fiorelli, L. E. (2005). "Nuevos restos de ''Notosuchus terrestris'' Woodward, 1896 (Crocodyliformes: Mesoeucrocodylia) del Cretácico Superior (Santoniano) de la Provincia de Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina". 79p. Tesis (Grado) Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba.
6. (2017). "Re-description of the cranio-mandibular anatomy of ''Notosuchus terrestris'' (Crocodyliformes, Mesoeucrocodylia) from the Upper Cretaceous of Patagonia". [[Cretaceous Research]].
7. (October 2008). "Tooth morphology of Notosuchus terrestris (Notosuchia: Mesoeucrocodylia): New evidence and implications". [[Comptes Rendus Palevol]].
8. (30 May 2022). "Dental histology and attachment tissues in Notosuchus terrestris (Crocodyliformes, Notosuchia): palaeobiological implications". [[Lethaia]].