Suchus Words: “Acaenasuchus” to “Lythrosuchus”,
Part 1 of 2
A Greek element that is used in various forms to create words that mean “crocodile; said to be the Egyptian name for crocodile”: sucho-, -suchus
Acaenasuchus:
The “thorn crocodile” named for the thorn-like spikes developed on the armor along the back. From Late Triassic North America. Named by Long and Murry in 1995.
Argentinosuchus:
The “Argentine crocodile” named for Argentina, where the fossil was found in San Juan Province. From Late Triassic South America. Named by Casamiquela in 1960.
Calyptosuchus:
The “covered crocodile” named for the armor covering its back. From Late Triassic North America. Named by Long and Ballew in 1985.
Desmatosuchus:
The “link crocodile” named with reference to the supposed transitional character of the skull. From Greek desmat (desma), “binding, chain”; believed to be from Late Triassic North America. Named by Case in 1920.
Dongusuchus:
The “Donguz River crocodile” named for the Donguz River in the southern Urals, central Russia, where the specimen was found. From Middle Triassic Eastern Europe. Named by Sennikov in 1988.
Energosuchus:
The “active crocodile” named to indicate an active carnivore Rauisuchia from Middle Triassic Eastern Europe. Named by Ochev in 1986.
Fasolasuchus:
The “Fasola’s crocodile” named to honor Tomas H. Fasola, who found the holotype during explorations of the Los Colorados Formation in La Rioja Province, Argentina. From Late Triassic South America. Named by Bonaparte in 1981.
Fenhosuchus:
The “Fen River crocodile” named for the Fen He [Ho] River in Shanxi Province, China. From Late Triassic East Asia. Named by Young in 1964.
Gracilisuchus:
The “graceful crocodile” named for the Fen He [Ho] River in Shanxi Province, China. From Late Triassic East Asia. Named by Young in 1964.
Heptasuchus:
The “seven crocodile” named from the Greek hepta, “seven” probably in reference to “1977”, the year the incomplete specimen was discovered. From Late Triassic North America. Named by Dawley, Zawiskie, and Cosgriff in 1979.
Hoplitosuchus:
The “shield-carrier crocodile” named from the Greek hoplites, “armed foot-soldier, shield”. From Late Triassic South America. Named by von Huene in 1938.
Jaikosuchus:
The “Ural River crocodile” named for the Ural River in central Russia. From Triassic Eastern Europe. Named by Sennikov in 1990.
Longosuchus:
The “Long’s crocodile” named to honor Robert A. Long, American vertebrate paleontologist, specializing in the American southwest. From Late Triassic North America. Named by Hunt and Lucas in 1990.
Lucasuchus:
The “Lucas’ crocodile” named to honor Spencer Lucas, an American vertebrate paleontologist. From Late Triassic North America. Named by Long and Murry in 1995.
Luperosuchus:
The “troublesome crocodile” named to indicate the “fragmentary and perplexing nature of the type material”, which made the specimen difficult to restore and describe accurately. From Middle Triassic South America. Named by Romer in 1971.
Lythrosuchus:
The “gore crocodile” named to indicate a fierce predator; based on limb and pelvic material, and cervical vertebrae. Its name comes from Greek lythros, “gore”. From Late Triassic North America. Named by Long and Murry in 1995.