Knowra Crocodylomorpha Crocodylomorpha Crocodylomorpha is an archosaur group comprising living crocodilians and their extinct relatives. Its members span diverse body forms, habitats, and ways of life.
Archosauria : Archosauria is the reptile group that includes crocodilians, birds, and their extinct relatives. Crocodylomorpha is one branch of this larger evolutionary group.
Crocodylomorph locomotion : Crocodylomorph locomotion includes terrestrial walking, sprawling movement, and swimming using limbs and tail. Changes in posture and swimming ability reflect the group's varied ecologies.
Sphenosuchia : Sphenosuchia is an informal grouping of early crocodylomorphs, many of them lightly built terrestrial forms. These early members contrast with the heavily armored aquatic image associated with living crocodilians.
Triassic : The Triassic is the geologic period from about 252 to 201 million years ago. Crocodylomorphs first appeared during this period, amid early archosaur diversification.
Pseudosuchia : Pseudosuchia is the archosaur lineage containing crocodilians and their extinct relatives. Crocodylomorpha sits within this broader, crocodile-line archosaur branch.
Crocodylomorph skull : The crocodylomorph skull is a varied cranial structure adapted to different feeding strategies and sensory demands. Differences in snout shape and jaw construction distinguish many extinct forms.
Notosuchia : Notosuchia is a diverse group of mostly terrestrial crocodyliforms known chiefly from Gondwanan fossils. Its varied jaws and teeth show how far crocodylomorphs moved beyond aquatic ambush predation.
Late Triassic : The Late Triassic is the final epoch of the Triassic Period, spanning roughly 237 to 201 million years ago. The earliest known crocodylomorph fossils date to this interval.
Crocodylia : Crocodylia is the crown group comprising living crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials and their closest extinct relatives. Living crocodilians belong to this nested subgroup of Crocodylomorpha.
Osteoderm : An osteoderm is a bony plate formed within the skin of some vertebrates. Many crocodylomorphs bore osteoderms that supported armor and sometimes aided body mechanics.
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