Sulcusuchus
Extinct genus of reptiles

Sulcusuchus is a genus of polycotylid plesiosaur from the Maastrichtian of Argentina.
01Description
The type species Sulcusuchus erraini was named in 1990 by Zulma Brandoni de Gasparini and Luis Spalletti. It was at first considered to have been a dyrosaurid crocodile, hence its generic name: "trough crocodile". Its holotype, MLP 88-IV-10-1, was found in the Maastrichtian-Danian Coli Toro Formation, near Ingeniero Jacobacci, comprising a fragmentary mandibular ramus. The more complete specimen MPEF 650, was uncovered in the middle levels of the La Colonia Formation, which also dates to the Maastrichtian-Danian interval, and consists of a posterior left mandible fragment of about half a meter long with an associated jaw joint condyle of the skull, lower braincase, rear palate and middle snout fragment. The outer side of the mandible shows the trough, which would be exceptional for a crocodile. The mandibula and pterygoids show grooves that may have housed electro-sensitive organs, similar to modern cetaceans that inhabit estuarine and river locations. In 2025, a specimen of Sulcusuchus (MPEF-PV 11698) preserving 95 gastroliths was reported from the middle layers of La Colonia Formation. Beyond the gastroliths, the specimen also includes fragmentary cranial (basioccipital, an isolated tooth and a fragmentary mandibular remains) and partial postcranial skeleton, yet undescribed. Some similarities were observed with a partial Polycotylid (MML PV 43) from Allen Formation.
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Sulcusuchus”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- Sulcusuchus erraini.png by Connor Ashbridge, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fathomly is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Wikimedia Foundation. Spotted a problem? Tell us.