Proterosuchus

Proterosuchus fergusi

• China
• South Africa

Proterosuchus (formerly also Chasmatosaurus ) is an extinct genus diapsider reptile from the Early Triassic. Fossils have been found in South Africa and China.

Proterosuchus is one of the oldest representatives, one formerly known as " Thecodontier " combined group of Archosauromorphen. It is similar in habitus a modern crocodile, so that a similar lifestyle is suspected.

Description

Proterosuchus was about two meters long and had strong limbs, which occurred almost horizontally from the trunk, which had a broad, lizard-like transition ( Spreizgang ) result. On each leg there were four fingers, to which there were claws.

The pointed, maul forward curved teeth were sitting in shallow periodontal pockets. As a primitive characteristic possessed Proterosuchus palate teeth, which are no longer found in later " Thecodontiern ".