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Suchomimus
Temporal range: Early Cretaceous
Suchomimus Joshua
Paleoart of Suchomimus by Joschua Dunlop
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Spinosauridae
Genus: Suchomimus
Type species
Suchomimus tenerensis
Paul Sereno, 1998
Synonyms
  • Baryonyx tenerensis

Suchomimus (Greek for "crocodile mimic") is a genus of large spinosaurid baryonychine dinosaur that lived 112 million years ago, during the late Aptian stage of the Cretaceous Period in Niger, Northern Africa. Sharing some noticeable traits with its more larger, distant relative Spinosaurus aegyptiacus. Suchomimus was one of the dominant theropods of its time and environment.[1][2][3][4]

Description[]

Suchomimus-Skeleton-1024x621

Suchomimus full body skeleton. Showing the larger size of the Theropod

Unlike most large theropods, Suchomimus had a very long, low snout and narrow jaws studded with some 100 or more teeth; similar to structure of fishing hooks. The tip of the snout was enlarged and carried a "rosette" of longer and sharper teeth.[5][6]

The animal's head and mouth anatomy is more reminiscent of modern species of slim snouted crocodilians, such as the Australian Freshwater Crocodile, False Gharial, Orinoco crocodile, Moralet crocodile, African slender snouted crocodilians or American Crocodile which is presumed to have similar habitat and ecological niche with known Spinosaurids.

Amongst the aforementioned crocodylians; the indian gharial shows the most extreme and hyperderivered adaptations; unlike the rest of its more generalist and carnivorous kindred. Although it is well known that some particular spinosaurids had a more biased preference for aquatic vertabrae; its unknown if Suchomimus shows similar preference; albeit its more unlikely considering its closer relatives such as Baryonyx and Iberospinus had both shown generalist, carnivory dietary preferences.

Pone.0053873

Dorsal and lateral comparison of spinosaurids including Suchomimus with crocodilians

Suchomimus also had a medium sized extension of its dorsal vertebrae which may have held up some kind of low ridge or sail of skin, as seen in much more splendid form in Spinosaurus.

2023-01-03 19 47 13-Window

Suchomimus skeletal. Credit: Dan Folkes

Detailed study shows that the holotype of Suchomimus was about 10.9 to 12 meters in length and weighing between 3-5 tonnes.[7][8] Sereno stated that Suchomimus could've grown larger by some feet than the holotype. However the description paper of Suchomimus never mentioned that the holotype was actually immature.

Classification[]

Ceratosuchopstaxon

Phylogenetic analysis by Barker et al. 2021

Suchomimus is a baryonychine Spinosaurid and is placed directly part of the baryonychine subgroup or subtribe Ceratosuchopsini, indicating it was more closely related to Ceratosuchops, rather than Baryonyx.

Suchomimus is potentially a junior synonym of of another spinosaurid from the Elrhaz Formation, Cristatusaurus lapparenti. It was named the same year based on jaw fragments and vertebrae. Skull elements were considered indistinguishable from those of Baryonyx. In 1997 whilst describing S. tenerensis Sereno and colleagues agreed with this assessment and concluded that Cristatusaurus was a dubious name.

Later in 2002, the German palaeontologist Hans-Dieter Sues and colleagues concluded that Suchomimus was identical to Cristatusaurus lapparenti, and despite Cristatusaurus having been named somewhat earlier than Suchomimus, proposed them to represent a second species of Baryonyx called Baryonyx tenerensis. In a 2003 analysis, German paleontologist Oliver Rauhut concurred with this.

Discovery and Naming[]

After discovering new specimens of Carcharodontosaurus and Sarcosuchus, Chicago-based paleontologist Paul Sereno and his team added a discovery in 1997. In the Sahara, near the Tenere Desert in Niger, they found fossils that represented about two-thirds of the skeleton of a huge meat-eater in the Tegama Bed of the Elrhaz Formation.

This was named Suchomimus ("crocodile mimic") after the shape of its head. Its species name comes from the Tenere desert near where it as found.

This led scientists to realize that spinosaurus may have actually had a crocodilian like snout, and in 2001 the spino snout was unearthed. This means Suchomimus is a major milestone to the appearance of Spinosaurus.

Ecology and Behavior[]

In a study from 2021, Rowe and Snively estimated a bite force of 4,037 Newtons (~400kg) for Suchomimus. A 2022 research conducted by Nizar Ibrahim has indicated that this particular Spinosaurid Theropod species had the assumed features for a more Terrestrial or land based life style.

Densities Spinosaurids

Spinosauridae Bone diagram. Showing Suchomimus having the most terrestrial viablity

According to a scientific study officially published in 2023; Spinosauridae families; in particular specimens taken as exemplary samples and clade representatives from Baryonychinae; shows their brain anatomy and skull cavity structure shows no identifiable differentiation or any significant deviation from other common theropod clades; particularly Megalosauridae.

The results interpreted as these theropods; presumably, showing similar behavior, instincts and traits with other general theropods; especially other megalisaurodae in terms of brain structure, dietary habits and behavior.[9][10]

Suchomimus ouranosaurus by zoome3 dfppp4y-fullview

Suchomimus chases and haresses a pair of Ouranosaurus'es. Credit: zoome3

Commenting on the results, lead-author of the study, PhD student Chris Barker ( University of Southampton ), has stated: “Despite their unusual ecology, it seems the brains and senses of these early spinosaurs retained many aspects in common with other large-bodied theropods – there is no evidence that their semi-aquatic lifestyles are reflected in the way their brains are organised.”[11]

Habitat[]

The overall impression is of a big and yet somewhat gracile theropod that ate larger species of fish, plesiosaurs; crocodylimorphs; as well as all other sorts of viable prey items; such as larger species of pterosaurs, small to medium sized dinosaurs; when available.[12]

Suchomimus arms robust

Suchomimus well developed; robust forearms and claws

As more than 100 million years ago, when the Sahara was a lush, swampy - delta like habitat full of life and fauna; unlike the barren desert of today. Suchomimus had lived in a rather dangerous environment and co existed other predators such as Sarcosuchus in waterways, Eocarcharia in terrestrial environments. Suchomimus possibly had to rival both of them for territory and hunting rights; such as larger game in aquatic systems; smaller crocodylimorphs on water; Ouranosaurus, other herbivores; such as subadult - juvenile sauropods; larger pterosaurs on land.[13]

Suchomimus role within in a habitat could presumably be comparable to Grizzly or Kodiak Bears of modern times. As well as egrets; herons; pelicans; skuas; petrels and jaegers in avian terms.

In popular culture[]

  • It was also mentioned in Jurassic Park III when Billy tried to identify the Spinosaurus, which was the primary antagonist of the movie.
  • Suchomimus appeared on the website for Jurassic World, but unfortunately didn't appear in the actual movie.
  • While not in the trailers so far, it has been revealed that there are surviving Suchomimus populations on Isla Nublar, but they and many other dinosaurs will now face an impending danger in the form of an erupting volcano in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. It is possible that some Suchomimus was saved offscreen. Since some teeth can be shown in Ken Whealty's tooth bag meaning the species survived.
  • It was seen in the 1998 National Geographic Documentary short Colossal Claw as both a sculpture & a fully reconstructed Skeleton.
  • It was seen as both a sculpture & a fully reconstructed Skeleton in the National Geographic Documentary Beyond 2000 The Explorers.
  • Both A l sculptor & a skeleton of Suchomimus appeared in the National Geographic TV show "Super Croc". Which Sarcosuchus appeared far larger than current estimates.
  • Suchomimus is in Jurassic World: Alive. It seems to be based on the Jurassic World website design.
  • Suchomimus is one of five dinosaurs that are available in deluxe edition of Jurassic World: Evolution It seems to be based on the Jurassic World website design.
  • It also appears in When Crocs Ate Dinosaurs, being attacked by a Sarcosuchus. Which was thought to be larger than current estimates.
    WhenCrocsAteDinosaurs 28

    Suchomimus as it appears in When Crocs Ate Dinosaurs. Sarcosuchus is oversized according to current standarts

  • It also appeared in three episodes of the anime series Dinosaur King in the first season.
  • It also made a brief cameo as an Animated skeleton next to the out of date Spinosaurus in the PBS Nova National Geographic Special Documentary Bigger Then T.REX.
  • It also appears in Jurassic World: The Game as a legendary carnivore. Since January 11th, 2016, a fully maxed Suchomimus can be hybrid-ed with a fully maxed Dsungaripterus to make the hybrid Suchoripterus.
  • It also appears in it's 1st PlayStation Game Warpath: Jurassic Park.
  • Suchomimus made it's 1st Arcade appearance in the 1999 Dinosaur Arcade Game Savage Quest.
  • It appeared in the 2004 Sci-Fi Film Dinocroc as a hybrid that is a cross between Suchomimus and Sarcosuchus.
  • Suchomimus appeared in the 2023 Sci-Fi short Film The Hatchling
  • Suchomimus appeared in the recent 2023 Sci-Fi Film Dinosaur Prison.

Gallery[]

References[]

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