| Nundasuchus | |
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| Scientific classification |
Nundasuchus is an extinct genus of archosaur, possibly suchian, known from the Middle Triassic Manda beds of southwestern Tanzania. It contains a single species, Nundasuchus songeaensis, known from a single partially complete skeleton and skull. Nundasuchus lived in what is now Tanzania, Africa around 240 million years ago and was a carnivore and apex predator, feeding on prey such as early reptiles and synapsids.
Discovery[]
The holotype skeleton of Nundasuchus songeaensis.
The holotype of Nundasuchus was discovered in 2007 by Dr. Sterling Nesbitt in the Manda formation of Tanzania. The holotype consisted of a partial right pterygoid, nearly complete right dentary, the right splenial, the right surangular, isolated teeth, a partial atlas, two articulated mid-neck vertebrae, two articulated mid-back vertebrae, the last back vertebra, the sacrum with sacral ribs, the first tail vertebra, dorsal ribs, gastralia, articulated isolated paramedian osteoderms, a partial shoulder gurdle including the interclavicle, parts of both clavicles, complete left and right scapulae, the right coracoid, the left humerus, both pubes, both femora, the left fibula, inner and outer ends of the left tibia, the left astragalus, the left calcaneum, the left fourth tarsal and all but fourth metatarsals, the outer ends of the right third-to-fifth metatarsals, numerous isolated phalanges, a partal ungal, and many other fragments.[1]
Description[]
Nundasuchus resembles other members of its clade Paracrocodylomorpha with 4 short straight legs, a proportionally long neck compared to other crocodylomorphs, and a square skull/jaw.
Incapable of particularly fast movement, it was most likely an ambush predator targeting weak or juvenile animals in a group at close range. It was around 2.7/3 meters (9 feet) long and has been described as having steak knife-like teeth and bony plates on its back.[2] Its legs were situated underneath its body, providing a straight gait unlike the splayed stance of other related archosaurs.
Etymology[]
Nundasuchus's name comes from the words Nunda (Swahili for "predator") and Suchus (Greek for "crocodile"). The species name songeaensis comes from the town of Songea, Tanzania, near which the holotype was found.
Classification[]
In popular culture[]
- Nundasuchus appears in the video game Jurassic World: Alive.
- Nundasuchus appears in the game Jurassic World: The Game.
