Pedeticosaurus
Encyclopedia
Pedeticosaurus is an extinct genus
of sphenosuchia
n crocodylomorph from the Clarens Formation
(Early Jurassic
) of South Africa
. The type species
is P. leviseuri.
With long slender limbs, it was similar in form to other sphenosuchians, such as Saltoposuchus
and Terrestrisuchus
. Van Hoepen originally established a new family for it, the Pedeticosauridae.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of sphenosuchia
Sphenosuchia
Sphenosuchia is a suborder of basal crocodylomorphs that first appeared in the Triassic and occurred into the Late Jurassic. Most were small, gracile animals with an erect limb posture. They are now thought to be ancestral to crocodyliforms, which include all living crocodilians.-Stratigraphic...
n crocodylomorph from the Clarens Formation
Clarens Formation
The Clarens Formation is a prominent fossil site in the Tuli Basin, in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa.-Fauna of the Clarens Formation:Unidentified dinosaur eggs have been recovered from the formation.-Bony fish:-Dinosaurs:-Synapsids:...
(Early Jurassic
Early Jurassic
The Early Jurassic epoch is the earliest of three epochs of the Jurassic period...
) of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The type species
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
is P. leviseuri.
With long slender limbs, it was similar in form to other sphenosuchians, such as Saltoposuchus
Saltoposuchus
Saltoposuchus is an extinct genus of small , long- tailed crocodylomorph reptile , from the Norian of Europe. The name translated means "leaping crocodile". It has been proposed that Terrestrisuchus gracilis and Saltoposuchus connectens represent different ontogenetic stages of the same genus...
and Terrestrisuchus
Terrestrisuchus
Terrestrisuchus is an extinct genus of early crocodylomorph that was about 50 cm long. Fossils have been found in Wales and date from the Late Triassic....
. Van Hoepen originally established a new family for it, the Pedeticosauridae.