Polonosuchus Temporal range: Late Triassic,
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Left maxilla of Polonosuchus silesiacus | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Clade: | Archosauria |
Clade: | Pseudosuchia |
Clade: | Loricata |
Family: | †Rauisuchidae |
Genus: | †Polonosuchus Brusatte et al., 2009 |
Species | |
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Polonosuchus is a genus of rauisuchid known from the late Triassic (Carnian age) of Poland. It was a huge predator about 5–6 metres in length and, like all rauisuchians, was equipped with a large head of long sharp teeth. The legs were placed almost underneath the body, unlike most reptiles, which would have made it quite fast and a powerful runner. The appearance was very similar to that of the more known Postosuchus, of North America, and shared with the latter the ecological niche of the apex predator.[1]