Re: BURROWING ARCHOSAURS

[chris brochu <cbrochu@fmppr.fmnh.org>]

>Crocodyliforms to the rescue. Gomani's (1997) recent work on
>_Malawisuchus_ shows that this robust little animal denned in
>burrows, and am I right in thinking that there is also some evidence
>indicating that _Chimaerasuchus_ did the same? These crocs
>(notosuchids) clearly do have burrowing adaptations, including
>well-muscled forelimbs and stout, deep heads with big neck muscles.

The Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) is a burrowing animal today, and
many other living crocodylians dig pit nests for their eggs, so
Malawisuchus is not unique within Crocodyliformes.


chris


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Christopher Brochu, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Department of Geology
Field Museum of Natural History
Lake Shore Drive at Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL  60605  USA

phone:  312-922-9410, ext. 469
fax:  312-922-9566

cbrochu@fmppr.fmnh.org