Abstract
ABSTRACT A new crocodilian from the Miocene of northwestern Queensland is described as Trilophosuchus rackhami, gen. et sp. nov. This is a small crocodilian reminiscent of Osteolaemus and Paleosuchus. However, resemblance to these forms appears to be the result of convergence on a short-snouted adaptive form. Trilophosuchus also resembles extinct taxa such as Notosuchus, Araripesuchus, Libycosuchus, Theriosuchus, and Protosuchus. Trilophosuchus displays some striking autapomorphies such as three longitudinal crests on the skull roof and narrow, elongate supratemporal fenestrae. The structure of the occipital surface suggests that Trilophosuchus held its head above the body. The insertions of muscles on the occipital surface are more consistent with a terrestrial, rather than aquatic, mode of life. A phylogenetic analysis suggest that Trilophosuchus is most closely related to four other Australian taxa of extinct crocodilians and should be included in the Australian Tertiary crocodilian radiation.
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