# Parasuchus

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Extinct genus of reptiles

Parasuchus Temporal range: Late Triassic, 222.5–212 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N The skull of ISI R42, the neotype of Parasuchus hislopi Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: †Phytosauria Family: †Parasuchidae Genus: †Parasuchus Lydekker, 1885 Type species †Parasuchus hislopi Lydekker, 1885

***Parasuchus*** is an [extinct](/source/Extinct) [genus](/source/Genus) of [basal](/source/Basal_(phylogenetics)) [phytosaur](/source/Phytosaur) known from the [Late Triassic](/source/Late_Triassic) (late [Carnian](/source/Carnian) to early [Norian](/source/Norian) stage) of [Telangana](/source/Telangana) and [Madhya Pradesh](/source/Madhya_Pradesh), [India](/source/India). At its most restricted definition, *Parasuchus* contains a single species, ***Parasuchus hislopi***.[1][2] *Parasuchus hislopi* is one of several species belonging to a basal [grade](/source/Evolutionary_grade) of phytosaurs, typified by the genus *[Paleorhinus](/source/Paleorhinus)*. Historically, *Paleorhinus* has been known from better-described fossils, and many species have been [lumped](/source/Lumpers_and_splitters) into that genus. *Parasuchus hislopi*, despite being described earlier than *Paleorhinus*, was considered an undiagnostic [chimera](/source/Chimera_(paleontology)) until new [neotype](/source/Neotype) fossils were described in the late 1970s. *Parasuchus hislopi* and the two unambiguously valid species of *Paleorhinus* (*P. bransoni* and *P. angustifrons*) are all closely related; some authors have historically described them all under the species *Paleorhinus*, while others place the two *Paleorhinus* species into *Parasuchus* according to the [principle of priority](/source/Principle_of_priority).[3] The bite force of *Parasuchus hislopi* is estimated to be 450 newtons at the anterior portion of the jaw, with 1,958 newtons at the posterior portion.[4]

## History

The name *Parasuchus* was first used by [Thomas Henry Huxley](/source/Thomas_Henry_Huxley) (1870) in a faunal list. Since a diagnosis wasn't provided, it would have been considered a *[nomen nudum](/source/Nomen_nudum)* at the time. [Richard Lydekker](/source/Richard_Lydekker) (1885) formally described and named *P. hislopi*, and proposed the family name [Parasuchidae](/source/Parasuchidae). However, Lydekker's description was based on a [chimeric](/source/Chimera_(paleontology)) [syntype](/source/Syntype), combining fossils from multiple unrelated reptiles: a [rhynchosaurian](/source/Rhynchosauria) [basicranium](/source/Basicranium) mixed with the partial snout of a [phytosaur](/source/Phytosauria), scutes and some teeth. [Friedrich von Huene](/source/Friedrich_von_Huene) (1940) identified the basicranium as belonging to *[Paradapedon huxleyi](/source/Paradapedon_huxleyi)* (now known as *[Hyperodapedon](/source/Hyperodapedon) huxleyi*) and the phytosaurian material to a newly named species, "aff." *[Brachysuchus](/source/Brachysuchus) maleriensis*. Later, [Edwin Harris Colbert](/source/Edwin_Harris_Colbert) (1958) designated all the Indian parasuchian material as *[Phytosaurus](/source/Phytosaurus) maleriensis* while Gregory (1962) considered the material undiagnostic.

[Sankar Chatterjee](/source/Sankar_Chatterjee) (1978) described many complete remains of the Indian parasuchian and showed that it is not assignable either to *[Brachysuchus](/source/Brachysuchus)* (which is closely related to or synonymous with *[Angistorhinus](/source/Angistorhinus)*), or to *[Phytosaurus](/source/Phytosaurus)* (a [dubious name](/source/Nomen_dubium), probably the [senior synonym](/source/Senior_synonym) of *[Nicrosaurus](/source/Nicrosaurus)*). He argued that the rhynchosaur basicranium qualifies as neither the [holotype](/source/Holotype) of *P. hislopi*, nor the [lectotype](/source/Lectotype) of *Paradapedon huxleyi.* He re-introduced *P. hislopi*, based on Lydekker's snout fossil and new well-preserved material.[1] To avoid additional confusion, the nondiagnostic holotype of *P. hislopi* was replaced by a [neotype](/source/Neotype) (ISI R 42) with approval from the [ICZN](/source/International_Commission_on_Zoological_Nomenclature) (Opinion 2045) following the application of Chatterjee (2001).[5]

### Fossil material

The partial [premaxillary](/source/Premaxillary) [rostrum](/source/Rostrum_(anatomy)) (snout) originally described by Lydekker, [GSI](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indian_Museum_Collection,_Calcutta&action=edit&redlink=1) H 20/11, was chosen as the [lectotype](/source/Lectotype) of *Parasuchus hislopi* by Sankar Chatterjee. GSI H 20/11 was collected from the [Lower Maleri Formation](/source/Lower_Maleri_Formation) ([Pranhita–Godavari Basin](/source/Pranhita%E2%80%93Godavari_Basin)), near the [Maleri village](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maleri_village&action=edit&redlink=1) of [Adilabad district](/source/Adilabad_district), Telangana. The lectotype was rendered obsolete when neotype fossils were approved for the genus in 2003.[5]

The [neotype](/source/Neotype) skull of *Parasuchus hislopi* (ISI R42)

Sankar Chatterjee later described more comprehensive remains from the Lower Maleri Formation, as well as one nearly complete [skull](/source/Skull) form the [Tiki Formation](/source/Tiki_Formation) that he also assigned to *Parasuchus hislopi*. Two complete and articulated [skeletons](/source/Skeleton) that include complete skulls were collected from the Lower Maleri Formation in the vicinity of the [Mutapyram village](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mutapyram_village&action=edit&redlink=1) of Adilabad district. Both individuals were roughly 8 ft (2.4 m) in length, lying side by side. The left individual, [ISI](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Geology_Museum,_Indian_Statistical_Institute&action=edit&redlink=1) R 42, is perfectly preserved, and was designated as the [neotype](/source/Neotype) of the species.[5] The right individual, ISI R 43, is nearly complete and only missing part of the snout.[1][3]

Two [articulated](/source/Joint) and almost complete [skeletons](/source/Skeleton) of *[Malerisaurus robinsonae](/source/Malerisaurus_robinsonae)* (both designated as ISIR 150), an [azendohsaurid](/source/Azendohsauridae) [archosauromorph](/source/Archosauromorph), were found as presumable gastric contents of these two skeletons.[6] From the same locality as the neotype, three isolated conjoined basioccipital/basisphenoids (ISI R 45-47) were also recovered. A couple of miles north of that locality, near the [Venkatapur village](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Venkatapur_village&action=edit&redlink=1), two more excellently preserved skulls were found. ISI R 160 represents an isolated but nearly complete skull, while ISI R 161 represents partial skull and articulated postcranial remains.[1] Finally, a skull recovered from the *[Tikisuchus](/source/Tikisuchus)* holotype site of the Tiki Formation ([Gondwana Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gondwana_Group&action=edit&redlink=1)),[7] about 4 miles west of [Tiki village](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tiki_village&action=edit&redlink=1) of [Shadol District](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shadol_District&action=edit&redlink=1), Madhya Pradesh, is missing only the end of the snout and the [squamosal](/source/Squamosal). As the lectotype of the genus, it was found nearby *[Paradapedon](/source/Paradapedon)* remains.[1] Both formations date to the late [Carnian](/source/Carnian) to early [Norian](/source/Norian) stage of the [Late Triassic](/source/Late_Triassic) [period](/source/Geological_timescale), about 222.5-212 [million years ago](/source/Million_years_ago).[7][8]

## Classification

*[Paleorhinus](/source/Paleorhinus) cf. arenaceus*, a [Polish](/source/Poland) phytosaur species tentatively referred to the genus *Paleorhinus*. *[Paleorhinus](/source/Paleorhinus)* is sometimes considered a [junior synonym](/source/Junior_synonym) of *Parasuchus,* due to being described later

The two articulated skeletons, ISI R 42-43, alone represent the most complete phytosaurs known to date. Additionally, *Parasuchus* has been found as one of the most primitive phytosaurs in phylogenetic analyses of Phytosauria, making it very significant for understanding the origin of the Phytosauria.[2] Some studies, like Chatterjee (1978) and Lucas *et al.* (2007), synonymized *Parasuchus* with another [basal](/source/Basal_(phylogenetics)) phytosaur, *[Paleorhinus](/source/Paleorhinus)*. If this is the case, the name *Parasuchus* would have precedence over *Paleorhinus* because *Paleorhinus* was named in 1904, nineteen years after *Parasuchus* was named. A phylogenetic analysis conducted by Kammerer *et al.* (2016) confirmed that *Parasuchus hislopi* is nested within the least inclusive clade containing the species *Paleorhinus bransoni* and *Paleorhinus angustifrons*. The authors thus considered the genus *Parasuchus* to be a senior synonym of the genus *Paleorhinus* (as well as *[Arganarhinus](/source/Arganarhinus)*), and referred the species *Paleorhinus bransoni*, *Paleorhinus angustifrons* and *Arganarhinus magnoculus* to the genus *Parasuchus*.[3] The [cladogram](/source/Cladogram) below follows Kammerer *et al.* (2016).[3]

Parasuchidae Wannia scurriensis Parasuchus (Paleorhinus) bransoni Parasuchus (Paleorhinus) angustifrons Parasuchus hislopi Ebrachosuchus neukami Mystriosuchinae Angistorhinus "Paleorhinus" sawini Brachysuchus megalodon Protome batalaria "Machaeroprosopus" zunii Rutiodon carolinensis Leptosuchomorpha TMM 31173-120 "Phytosaurus" doughtyi Smilosuchus lithodendrorum Smilosuchus gregorii Smilosuchus adamanensis Pravusuchus hortus Mystriosuchini Machaeroprosopus mccauleyi Machaeroprosopus pristinus Machaeroprosopus jablonskiae Mystriosuchus westphali

## Etymology

*Parasuchus* was first described and named by [Richard Lydekker](/source/Richard_Lydekker) in [1885](/source/1885_in_paleontology) and the [type species](/source/Type_species) is *Parasuchus hislopi*. The [generic name](/source/Name_of_a_biological_genus) is derived from the [Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek) *para*/παρα meaning "beside" or "near" and *suchus* from the Greek *souchos*, which refers to the Egyptian crocodile-headed god [Sobek](/source/Sobek). The [specific name](/source/Specific_name_(zoology)), *hislopi*, honors Hislop who drawn attention in 1854 to the red clays near [Maleri village](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maleri_village&action=edit&redlink=1) in which the holotype (and later the neotype and other specimens) of *P. hislopi* was recovered.[9]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Chatterjee78_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Chatterjee78_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Chatterjee78_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Chatterjee78_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Chatterjee78_1-4) Sankar Chatterjee (1978). ["A primitive parasuchid (phytosaur) reptile from the Upper Triassic Maleri Formation of India"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130810232427/http://palaeontology.palass-pubs.org/pdf/Vol%2021/Pages%2083-127.pdf) (PDF). *Palaeontology*. **21** (1): 83–127. Archived from the original on 2013-08-10. Retrieved 2012-05-12.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Nesbitt11_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Nesbitt11_2-1) Sterling J. Nesbitt (2011). ["The Early Evolution of Archosaurs: Relationships and the Origin of Major Clades"](https://digitallibrary.amnh.org/handle/2246/6112). *Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History*. **352**: 1–292. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1206/352.1](https://doi.org/10.1206%2F352.1). [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[2246/6112](https://hdl.handle.net/2246%2F6112). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [83493714](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:83493714).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_3-3) Christian F. Kammerer; Richard J. Butler; Saswati Bandyopadhyay; Michelle R. Stocker (2016). ["Relationships of the Indian phytosaur *Parasuchus hislopi* Lydekker, 1885"](http://pure-oai.bham.ac.uk/ws/files/19880739/Kammerer_et_al._2015._Accepted_MS.pdf) (PDF). *Papers in Palaeontology*. **2** (1): 1–23. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1002/spp2.1022](https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fspp2.1022). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [83780331](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:83780331).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Sakamoto, Manabu (2022). ["Estimating bite force in extinct dinosaurs using phylogenetically predicted physiological cross-sectional areas of jaw adductor muscles"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9285543). *PeerJ*. **10** e13731. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.7717/peerj.13731](https://doi.org/10.7717%2Fpeerj.13731). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [9285543](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9285543). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [35846881](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35846881).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ICZN_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ICZN_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ICZN_5-2) ["*Parasuchus Hislopi* Lydekker, 1885 (Reptilia, Archosauria): Lectotype Replaced By A Neotype"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150611061903/http://biostor.org/cache/pdf/b8/fc/68/b8fc688a53ce7a142c5951d1ed169396.pdf) (PDF). *Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature*. **60**: 174–175. 2003. Archived from [the original](http://biostor.org/cache/pdf/b8/fc/68/b8fc688a53ce7a142c5951d1ed169396.pdf) (PDF) on 2015-06-11. Retrieved 2012-05-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Malerisaurus_6-0)** Sankar Chatterjee (1980). ["*Malerisaurus*, A New Eosuchian Reptile from the Late Triassic of India"](https://doi.org/10.1098%2Frstb.1980.0131). *Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series B*. **291** (1048): 163–200. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1980RSPTB.291..163C](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1980RSPTB.291..163C). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1098/rstb.1980.0131](https://doi.org/10.1098%2Frstb.1980.0131).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Tikisuchus_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Tikisuchus_7-1) S. Chatterjee; P. K. Majumdar (1987). "*Tikisuchus romeri*, a new rauisuchid reptile from the Late Triassic of India". *Journal of Paleontology*. **61** (4): 787–793. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1017/S0022336000029139](https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS0022336000029139). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [130472911](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:130472911).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-biostrati98_8-0)** Lucas, S. G. (1998). "Global Triassic tetrapod biostratigraphy and biochronology". *Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology*. **143** (4): 347–384. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1998PPP...143..347L](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1998PPP...143..347L). [CiteSeerX](/source/CiteSeerX_(identifier)) [10.1.1.572.872](https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.572.872). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/s0031-0182(98)00117-5](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fs0031-0182%2898%2900117-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-oriParasuchus_9-0)** Richard Lydekker (1885). "Maleri and Denwa Reptilia and Amphibia". *Palaeontology Indica*. **1**: 1–38.

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Taxon identifiers Parasuchus Wikidata: Q251814 GBIF: 4823714 IRMNG: 1414781 Paleobiology Database: 38298

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Parasuchus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasuchus) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasuchus?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.