[D] Aristosuchus pusillus [sG] [T]
Describer
Seeley, 1887
Time
Cretaceous Early Berriasian Valanginian Hauterivian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Compsognathidae
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Wealden Beds (Wealden shales), Isle of Wight, Wessex Formation, England; Bauxite of Cornet, Judethaen Bihor, Romania
Info
Genus - Typespecies
Holotype BMNH R178, sacrum, pubes. Named for a kind of reptile Seeley originally considered distinct from both dinosaurs and crocodiles, though with some features of both; based on a specimen named Calamospondylus by Fox in 1866. Owen, (1876) originally refered this specimen to [Poekilopleuron pusillus]. however Seeley regarded [P. pusillus] holotype as representing an animal distinct from [P. pusillus] and refered the material to the new genus Aristosuchus, (\\\"Small superior crocodile\\\") the bionominal becoming A. pusillus. A pair of unguals, BMNH R179 and R899, may be from Aristosuchus. The femur of Aristosuchus has a wing-like anterior trochanter and an incredibly reduced fourth trochanter.