Suchomimus tenerensis

This large theropod from Niger was very similar to Baryonyx to the point that some author placed it in the same genus. It had an elongated crocodile-like snout equipped with sharp teeth ideal for catching fish. It lived in the similar marshy environments than the modern crocodiles. Blade shape vertebral spines form a low sail over the hips.

Name

Suchomimus tenerensis

Authority

Sereno, Beck, Dutheil, Gado, Larsson, Lyon, Marcot, Rauhut, Sadleir, Sidor, Varricchio, Wilson & Wilson, 1998

Meaning of generic name

Crocodile mimic

Meaning of specific name

[From Tenere Desert]

Size

Length: 11 m

Remains

Nearly complete skeleton with skull.

Age and Distribution

Elrhaz Formation (Late Aptian), Tenere Desert region, Niger.

Classification

Dinosauria Saurischia Theropoda Spinosauroidea Spinosauridae

Further Reading

P. C. Sereno, A. L. Beck, D. B. Dutheil, B. Gado, H. C. E. Larsson, G. H. Lyon, J. D. Marcot, O. W. M. Rauhut, R. W. Sadleir, C. A. Sidor, D. D. Varricchio, G. P. Wilson, and J. A. Wilson. 1998. A long-snouted predatory dinosaur from Africa and the evolution of spinosaurids. Science 282:1298-1302.

Synonyms

Cristatusaurus lapparenti Taquet & Russell, 1998