Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 29, 2026

Albertosuchus

Albertosuchus is an extinct genus of crocodyloid crocodylian from the Late Cretaceous of Canada. The type species Albertosuchus knudsenii was named in 2015 from the Scollard Formation in Alberta. Albertosuchus is the northernmost-known Late Cretaceous crocodylian in North America. Albertosuchus lacks the notch in the upper jaw between the maxilla and premaxilla bones that is characteristic of most crocodyloids, and it also has a very short mandibular symphysis. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that it is one of the most basal members of Crocodyloidea and a close relative of Arenysuchus from the Late Cretaceous of Spain, although the incomplete nature of known material makes these findings uncertain.

Last revised
Jul 29, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
173 w
Citations
1
Source
Albertosuchus
Temporal range: Maastrichtian
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Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Crocodylia
Family: incertae sedis
Genus: Albertosuchus
Wu and Brinkman, 2015
Type species
Albertosuchus knudsenii
Wu and Brinkman, 2015

Albertosuchus is an extinct genus of crocodyloid crocodylian from the Late Cretaceous of Canada. The type species Albertosuchus knudsenii was named in 2015 from the Scollard Formation in Alberta. Albertosuchus is the northernmost-known Late Cretaceous crocodylian in North America. Albertosuchus lacks the notch in the upper jaw between the maxilla and premaxilla bones that is characteristic of most crocodyloids, and it also has a very short mandibular symphysis (the connection between the two halves of the lower jaw). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that it is one of the most basal members of Crocodyloidea and a close relative of Arenysuchus from the Late Cretaceous of Spain, although the incomplete nature of known material makes these findings uncertain.1

References

References

  1. Wu, Xiao-Chun; Brinkman, Donald B.; Gardner, James (2015). "A new crocodylian (Eusuchia) from the uppermost Cretaceous of Alberta, Canada1". Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 52 (8): 590. Bibcode:2015CaJES..52..590W. doi:10.1139/cjes-2014-0133.