Qianosuchus

Qianosuchus
Temporal range: Middle Triassic,
A color-coded diagram of the skull
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Clade: Archosauria
Clade: Pseudosuchia
Clade: Suchia
Clade: Paracrocodylomorpha
Clade: Poposauroidea
Genus: Qianosuchus
Li C. et al., 2006
Species
  • Q. mixtus Li C. et al., 2006 (type)

Qianosuchus is an extinct genus of aquatic poposauroid archosaur from the middle Triassic (Anisian) Guanling Formation of Pan County, China. It is represented by two nearly complete skeletons and a crushed skull preserved in the limestone. Qianosuchus was at least 3 metres long, and had several skeletal adaptations which indicate a semi-marine lifestyle, similar to modern-day saltwater crocodiles. These adaptations have not been seen in any other archosaur from the Triassic.