Araripesuchus
| Araripesuchus Temporal range: Early - Late Cretaceous, | |
|---|---|
| Skull of A. wegeneri from different angles | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Clade: | Archosauria |
| Clade: | Pseudosuchia |
| Clade: | Crocodylomorpha |
| Clade: | Crocodyliformes |
| Suborder: | †Notosuchia |
| Family: | †Uruguaysuchidae |
| Genus: | †Araripesuchus Price, 1959 |
| Species | |
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Araripesuchus is a genus of extinct crocodyliform that existed during the Cretaceous period of the late Mesozoic era some 125 to 66 million years ago. Six species of Araripesuchus are currently known. They are generally considered to be notosuchians (belonging to the clade Mesoeucrocodylia), characterized by their varied teeth types and distinct skull elements. This genus consists of six species: A. buitreraensis, discovered in Argentina, A. wegeneri, discovered in Cameroon and Niger, A. rattoides, discovered in Niger, A. tsangatsangana, discovered in Madagascar, A. gomesii (the type species), discovered in Brazil and another species discovered in Argentina, A. patagonicus. It has been argued that the phylogenetic position of this genus is uncertain, and that taxonomic revision is required.