New material of the ziphodont mesoeucrocodylian Iberosuchus from the Eocene of Languedoc, southern France

Abstract

Skull fragments and osteoderms assigned to Iberosuchus sp. are described from three middle Eocene localities: Aumelas, Robiac and Saint-Martin-de-Londres in Languedoc, southern France. These remains expand the anatomical knowledge of this poorly known taxon, notably on the morphology of the premaxilla, maxilla, postorbital and jugal and allow a comparison with other non-eusuchian ziphodont mesoeucrocodylians. A close relationship of the genus Iberosuchus with narrow/elevated-snouted Baurusuchidae or Peirosauridae from the Cretaceous of South America and Africa appears unlikely. Affinities between Iberosuchus and Sebecidae, a group reported from the Cenozoic of South America; are suspected but require further testing. The record of Iberosuchus is limited to the European middle Eocene (Lutetian and Bartonian) and it is currently known from Portugal, Spain and France.