Postosuchus paleoart

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Scientific name: Postosuchus kirkpatricki

Family: Rauisuchidae

Epoch: Upper Triassic

Size: 4,13 meters long

Location: Arizona ( Chincle Formation) USA

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Description

The reconstruction shown measures 4.13 metres in length along its vertebrae. Completely hand-sculpted based on available scientific information. Made to order in any position.  Postosuchus was one of the largest carnivorous reptiles during the Upper Triassic, reaching more than 4 meters in length. Notable characteristics are as peculiarities of Postosuchus:

-The front limbs of Postosuchus measured a little more than half the size of its hind limbs, a characteristic that is generally seen in bipedal reptiles. It was possibly facultatively bipedal.

-It had an enormous skull, narrow at the front and with large heterodont-shaped teeth.

-It had osteoderms, which were thick plates that formed scales. They were found along its neck, back and possibly on or under the tail.

-The limbs were located under the body, giving Postosuchus an upright posture.

-Despite its superficial appearance similar to a carnivorous dinosaur, it is not a dinosaur, but a rauisuchian.

Do we know what it looked like? Beyond knowing that it had osteoderms, we do not have much more data, other than to infer from its phylogenetic relationships, a scaly covering of unknown appearance. In the reconstruction, we have provided it with a relatively light scaly covering, since it is possibly a facultative bipedal predator. The excessive weight that the thicker scales would provide would be detrimental to a terrestrial predator.

The coloration is completely unknown, but we have been inspired by the possible color palette of it´s habitat. The black spots would break up the silhouette of the predator, helped by the shading provided by the Araucaria forest (such as Araucarioxylon). The light tones would be similar to the trunks of the Araucaria and the brown tones to the earth of the environment. With all this we get a predator with a plausible and effective color pattern in its habitat. Let us not forget that the representation has speculative components. This is due to the lack of data on its appearance in life.

Bibliographies consulted: Weinbaum, Jonathan C.( 2011). « The skull of Postosuchus kirkpatricki (Archosauria: Paracrocodyliformes) from the Upper Triassic of the United States » Jonathan Weinbaum C.(2013). « Postcranial skeleton of Postosuchus kirkpatricki (Archosauria: Paracrocodylomorpha), from the Upper Triassic of the United States » Jonathan Weinbaum, Alan H Turner, Sterling Nesbitt. (2012): «A survey of skeletal elements in the orbit of Pseudosuchia and the origin of the crocodylian palpebral» Novak, Stephanie E. (2004). «A new specimen of Postosuchus from the Late Triassic Coelophysis Quarry, siltstone member, Chinle Formation, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico» Weinbaum, Jonathan C. (2002). «Osteology and relationships of Postosuchus kirkpatricki (Archosauria: Crurotarsi)». M.S. thesis, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.

 

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