Ophiussasuchus (meaning crocodile of Ophiussa) is an extinct genus of crocodylimorph that lived in the Late Jurassic of Portugal. The type species is Ophiussasuchus paimogonectes.
Discovery and Naming[]
It was discovered in 2021 by by fossil collector Holger Lüdtke, and it was described on the basis of a nearly complete skull found in Paimogo beach, Lourinhã, Portugal, which is Praia Azul Member of the Lourinha Formation in 2024. The fossil was donated to the Lourinha Museum. The generic name combines "Ophiussa", an ancient Greek word for Portugal, and "suchus", while the specific name is named after Paimogo beach.
Description[]
The skull is described as platyrostral and mesorostrine. Like in other goniopholids, the premaxilla preserve notches on either side at the elements' contact with the maxillae, which houses the largest tooth of the dentary when the jaws are closed. As is typical for goniopholids, it gives the tip of the snout an axe-like shape, similar to Goniopholis. Five teeth are present on its premaxilla. When looking at the skull from below, it can be seen that the ventral surface of the maxillae extend into the ventral surface of the premaxillae along a V-shaped structure. It is a medium-sized member of the family. The skull alone is 30 cm (12 in).
Classification[]
It is classified as a member of Goniopholidae.
Paleoecology[]
It coexisted with Torvosaurus, Draconyx, Eousdryosaurus, Miragaia, Lusotitan, and others in the Lourinha Formation.
Gallery[]
