Rimasuchus
Rimasuchus is an extinct genus of crocodile from the Miocene of Egypt and possibly Libya. Only one species - Rimasuchus lloydi - is currently known. It was previously thought to be a species of Crocodylus, but is now thought to be more closely related to the modern African dwarf crocodiles (Osteolaemus).
| Rimasuchus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Crocodilia |
| Family: | Crocodylidae |
| Subfamily: | Crocodylinae |
| Genus: | †Rimasuchus Storrs, 2003 |
| Type species | |
| †Rimasuchus lloydi (Fourtau, 1918) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Fossil crocodiles from all over Africa and the Middle East of Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene age were previously referred to R. lloydi. The majority are now known to be extinct forms of Crocodylus. The generic name "Rimasuchus" comes from the Latin words rima, meaning "crack" (referencing the East African rift valley),[1] which is ironic because Rimasuchus is not currently known from deposits in East Africa.
Phylogeny
Cladogram after Brochu C. A., Njau J., Blumenschine R. J., Densmore L. D. (2010).[2]
| Crocodylinae |
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See also
References
- Leakey, M. G. and Harris, J. M. (2003). Lothagam: the Dawn of Humanity in Eastern Africa. Columbia University Press, New York. ISBN 0-231-11870-8 p. 144
- Brochu, C. A.; Njau, J.; Blumenschine, R. J.; Densmore, L. D. (2010). "A new horned crocodile from the Plio-Pleistocene hominid sites at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania". PLoS ONE. 5 (2): e9333. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0009333. PMC 2827537. PMID 20195356.