Burkesuchus

Burkesuchus is an extinct genus of basal neosuchians from the Upper Jurassic (Tithonian)-aged Toqui Formation of southern Chile. The genus is currently represented by a single species B. mallingrandensis, named and described in 2021 on the basis of the holotype and additional referred specimens.^[1] Burkesuchus mallingrandensis was noticeably small being around an estimated 70 cm (27.5 inches) in length. The cranium is dorsoventrally depressed and transversely wide posteriorly and distinguished by a posteroventrally flexed wing-like squamosal. Burkesuchus was a small carnivore likely on invertebrates animals such as insects, crustaceans and may had feed on small aquatic vertebrates like fish. B. mallingrandensis did not have the ability to feed on large prey items or tear large chunks of meat like modern day crocodiles do.^[2] The holotype SQO.PV 17700, consist of a cervical neural arch, partial neurocranium, four dorsal vertebrae, right scapula, a right coracoid, right humerus, a ulna, left ischium, distal end of the right femur, one cervical and two dorsal osteoderms. The paratype SQO.PV 17701 fossil remains consist of a nearly complete right femur, two doral vertebrae and one dorsal osteoderm.^[3] The fossils was discovered in 2014 but was described as a new genus and species on July 23, 2021.^[4]

Burkesuchus Temporal range: Late Jurassic, 147.1–146.9 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Computer reconstruction, with red bones corresponding to the original material
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Clade:	Archosauria
Clade:	Pseudosuchia
Clade:	Crocodylomorpha
Clade:	Crocodyliformes
Clade:	Neosuchia
Genus:	†Burkesuchus Novas et al., 2021
Species:	†B. mallingrandensis
Binomial name
†Burkesuchus mallingrandensis Novas et al., 2021

Phylogeny

Burkesuchus mallingrandensis belonged to the Mesoeucrocodylia clade which includes all living crocodiles and other relatives.^[5]

Below is a cladogram showing the phylogenetic placement of Burkesuchus according to Novas et al. (2021):^[1]

Mesoeucrocodylia	Stolokrosuchus Notosuchia Uruguaysuchidae Mahajangasuchidae Peirosauridae Neosuchia Burkesuchus Alligatorium Theriosuchus Thalattosuchia Pholidosaurus Sarcosuchus Terminonaris Sokotosuchus Dyrosaurus Hyposaurus Rhabdognathus Goniopholis simus Calsoyasuchus Sunosuchus Eutretauranosuchus Goniopholis stovalli Bernissartia Rugosuchus Shamosuchus Hylaeochampsa Eusuchia

References

1. Novas FE, Agnolin FL, Lio GL, Rozadilla S, Suárez M, de la Cruz R, Carvalho IS, Rubilar-Rogers D, Isasi MP (2021). "New transitional fossil from late Jurassic of Chile sheds light on the origin of modern crocodiles". Scientific Reports. 11 (1): Article number 14960. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-93994-z. PMC 8298593. PMID 34294766.
2. "Jurassic-Period Crocodile Ancestor Unearthed in Chile | Paleontology | Sci-News.com". Breaking Science News | Sci-News.com. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
3. Novas, Fernando E.; Agnolin, Federico L.; Lio, Gabriel L.; Rozadilla, Sebastián; Suárez, Manuel; de la Cruz, Rita; de Souza Carvalho, Ismar; Rubilar-Rogers, David; Isasi, Marcelo P. (2021-07-22). "New transitional fossil from late Jurassic of Chile sheds light on the origin of modern crocodiles". Scientific Reports. 11 (1): 14960. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-93994-z. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 8298593. PMID 34294766.
4. "Burkesuchus mallingrandensis: Modern Crocodile's grandfather found in Chile fossil". Jagranjosh.com. 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
5. Pskhun (2021-08-02). "Species New to Science: [Paleontology • 2021] Burkesuchus mallingrandensis • New Transitional Fossil (Crocodyliformes: Mesoeucrocodylia) from late Jurassic of Chile sheds light on the Origin of Modern Crocodiles". Species New to Science. Retrieved 2022-07-15.