Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
369 / Mesozoic
Plagiosuchus
Plagiosuchus pustuliferus
Its semicircular skull was extraordinarily broad and flat.
View original image · 1600 × 1067- Time range
- About 240 million years ago
- Final stage
- Middle Triassic
- Geographic range
- Freshwater lakebeds · Germany
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Plagiosuchus?
Plagiosuchus (Plagiosuchus pustuliferus) was an extinct organism known from About 240 million years ago, with a range in Freshwater lakebeds · Germany.
Life and ecology
This bottom-dwelling plagiosaurid probably suction-fed on fish and had little ability to walk ashore.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Plagiosuchus disappear?
Later Triassic turnover in lakes and giant amphibians is possible context; a specific cause is not established.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Plagiosuchus?
Three-dimensional skulls, gill arches and skeletons document extreme flattening and permanent aquatic life.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Rewrote an extinction cause that presented environmental or faunal turnover as established; it is now given as context the record does not prove.
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS