# Pravusuchus

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Extinct genus of reptiles

This article is about the Arizonan phytosaur. For the Brazilian [gracilisuchid](/source/Gracilisuchid), see [Parvosuchus](/source/Parvosuchus). For the South African [therocephalian](/source/Therocephalian), see [Pardosuchus](/source/Pardosuchus). For the German [rhynchocephalian](/source/Rhynchocephalian), see [Parvosaurus](/source/Parvosaurus).

Pravusuchus Temporal range: Late Triassic, 228–209 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: †Phytosauria Family: †Parasuchidae Subfamily: †Mystriosuchinae Clade: †Leptosuchomorpha Genus: †Pravusuchus Stocker, 2010 Type species †Pravusuchus hortus Stocker, 2010

***Pravusuchus*** is an [extinct](/source/Extinct) [genus](/source/Genus) of [leptosuchomorph](/source/Leptosuchomorph) [parasuchid](/source/Parasuchid) [phytosaur](/source/Phytosaur) known from the [Late Triassic](/source/Late_Triassic) ([Norian](/source/Norian) stage) of [Arizona](/source/Arizona), United States. It contains a single species, ***Pravusuchus hortus***, which is known from three specimens. These specimens were previously referred to *[Smilosuchus](/source/Smilosuchus)* or to *[Leptosuchus](/source/Leptosuchus)*, but *Pravusuchus'*s [autapomorphy](/source/Autapomorphy), its phylogenetic position as well as a trait shared with [mystriosuchins](/source/Mystriosuchin), justified the erection of a new [taxon](/source/Taxon) for the material.[1]

## Discovery and naming

*Pravusuchus* was first described and named by Michelle R. Stocker in [2010](/source/2010_in_paleontology) and the [type species](/source/Type_species) is *Pravusuchus hortus*. The [generic name](/source/Name_of_a_biological_genus) is derived from [Latin](/source/Latin), *pravus*, "evil" or "wicked", and [Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek), *souchus*, for the Egyptian crocodile-headed god [Sobek](/source/Sobek). The [specific name](/source/Specific_name_(zoology)), *hortus*, is the [Latin](/source/Latin) word for park or grounds. The name refers to Devil's Playground, the locality in [Petrified Forest National Park](/source/Petrified_Forest_National_Park) from which all specimens of this taxon were collected. *Pravusuchus* is known from the [holotype](/source/Holotype) AMNH FR 30646, mostly complete but partially disarticulated [skull](/source/Skull), and from the referred specimens PEFO 31218, a partial skull, and PEFO 34239, partial skull, partial [mandible](/source/Mandible), and possible partial [postcrania](/source/Postcrania). Although the holotype is slightly crushed dorsoventrally, it is not as flattened as PEFO 31218. All specimens referable to *Pravusuchus* were collected from the Sonsela Sandstone Bed (later referred to as Jasper / Rainbow Forest Bed[2]) of the [Norian](/source/Norian)-aged [Sonsela Member](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sonsela_Member&action=edit&redlink=1), [Chinle Formation](/source/Chinle_Formation) from [Navajo County](/source/Navajo_County), [Arizona](/source/Arizona). PEFO 31218 and PEFO 34239 were found in the same stratigraphic horizon just west of Colbert's 1946 locality where AMNH FR 30646 was collected, and only 2–3 m higher stratigraphically than the holotype.[1] Other phytosaur specimens from the Sonsela Member occur in other beds, stratigraphically lower (e.g. *[Protome batalaria](/source/Protome_batalaria)*, *[Smilosuchus adamanensis](/source/Smilosuchus_adamanensis)*[1] and *[S. lithodendrorum](/source/Smilosuchus_lithodendrorum)*) or higher (e.g. *[Machaeroprosopus jablonskiae](/source/Machaeroprosopus_jablonskiae)* and *[M. pristinus](/source/Machaeroprosopus_pristinus)*) then the white Rainbow Forest sandstone.[2]

## Description

Stocker (2010) diagnosed *Pravusuchus hortus* by a single unambiguous [autapomorphy](/source/Autapomorphy) (unique trait) and additionally by a unique combination of characters. Unlike all other phytosaurs, the [lateral](/source/Anatomical_terms_of_location#Left_and_right_(lateral),_and_medial) rim of its external naris (i.e. [nostril](/source/Nostril)) is formed by the "[septomaxilla](/source/Septomaxilla)", and not by the [nasal bone](/source/Nasal_bone). The element in phytosaur skulls anterior to the external nares, located between the nasal, [maxilla](/source/Maxilla) and [premaxilla](/source/Premaxilla), has traditionally been referred to as the septomaxilla, however it probably is not [homologous](/source/Homology_(biology)) to the septomaxillae of [squamates](/source/Squamate) and [synapsids](/source/Synapsid).[1]

The [antorbital fossa](/source/Antorbital_fenestra) is absent in *Pravusuchus*, as in *Pseudopalatus*, *Smilosuchus gregorii* and *S. adamanensis*, however, unlike *Pseudopalatus* its interpremaxillary fossa (a depression on the premaxilla) is broad and rounded. In *Pravusuchus*, [alveolar ridges](/source/Alveolar_ridge) visible in lateral view (from the sides), unlike the condition in *S. gregorii* and *Pseudopalatus*. Its rostrum is partially crested, as in *Leptosuchus crosbiensis*, *L. studeri* and *S. adamanensis*,[1] but it lacks a premaxillary crest, as also seen in *Protome*, *Smilosuchus* and *L. crosbiensis*.[2] *Pravusuchus* shares with *Pseudopalatus*, *L. crosbiensis* and *L. studeri* the presence of a long posterior process of the [squamosal](/source/Squamosal), unlike the condition seen in *S. gregorii* and *S. adamanensis*.[1] However, in contrast to the condition in *Pseudopalatus*, it is also greatly dorsoventrally expanded and rounded posteriorly as in *Rutiodon*, *Protome*, *Leptosuchus*, *Smilosuchus* and *"Phytosaurus" doughtyi*. As in *"Machaeroprosopus" zunii*, *Protome*, *Smilosuchus* and *Pseudopalatus*, *Pravusuchus* has basitubera, in front of the attachment point between the skull and the neck, that are connected and form a sharp ridge along their anterior border.[2] Its supratemporal fenestrae (upper temporal openings) partially depressed as in *Rutiodon*, *Leptosuchus* and *S. gregorii*, in contrast to the condition in *Pseudopalatus*, and are mostly visible in [dorsal](/source/Anatomical_terms_of_location) view as in *Smilosuchus*. In contrast to all other phytosaurs, *Pravusuchus* shares the presence of a subsidiary opisthotic process of the squamosal with Mystriosuchini, a possible [synapomorphy](/source/Synapomorphy).[1]

## Phylogeny

To test the evolutionary relationships of *Pravusuchus*, Stocker (2010) performed the most inclusive [phylogenetic](/source/Phylogenetic) analysis of [Phytosauria](/source/Phytosauria) up to that time. *Pravusuchus* was coded in the analysis using solely its holotype, as both referred specimen had identical codings for applicable characters. The analysis placed *Pravusuchus* outside the [clade](/source/Clade) containing species of *Mystriosuchus* and *Pseudopalatus* (now *[Machaeroprosopus](/source/Machaeroprosopus)*), suggesting that it is the [sister taxon](/source/Sister_taxon) of [Mystriosuchini](/source/Mystriosuchini).[1] However, to confirm its exclusion from Mystriosuchini, *[Nicrosaurus kapffi](/source/Nicrosaurus_kapffi)* must be included in the analysis, as Mystriosuchini is a [node-based taxon](/source/Node-based_taxon) and *Nicrosaurus* usually occupies the most [basal](/source/Basal_(phylogenetics)) position in it.[3] Furthermore, *Pravusuchus* was found to occupy a more derived position then *[Leptosuchus](/source/Leptosuchus)* and even *[Smilosuchus](/source/Smilosuchus)*. This justified the erection of a new genus and species for *Pravusuchus*, as its holotype was previously referred to these genera.[1] Below is a [cladogram](/source/Cladogram) showing the phylogenetic relationships of *Pravusuchus* from Stocker (2010) which was also recovered in Stocker (2012):[2]

Phytosauria "Paleorhinus" scurriensis Paleorhinus bransoni "Paleorhinus" sawini Phytosauridae Brachysuchus megalodon Angistorhinus Rutiodon carolinensis "Machaeroprosopus" zunii Protome batalaria Leptosuchomorpha "Phytosaurus" doughtyi TMM 31173-120 Leptosuchus crosbiensis Leptosuchus studeri Smilosuchus lithodendrorum Smilosuchus adamanensis Smilosuchus gregorii Pravusuchus hortus Pseudopalatinae Pseudopalatus mccauleyi Mystriosuchus westphali Pseudopalatus pristinus

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Pravusuchus_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Pravusuchus_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Pravusuchus_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Pravusuchus_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Pravusuchus_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Pravusuchus_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Pravusuchus_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Pravusuchus_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-Pravusuchus_1-8) Stocker, M. R. (2010). ["A new taxon of phytosaur (Archosauria: Pseudosuchia) from the Late Triassic (Norian) Sonsela Member (Chinle Formation) in Arizona, and a critical reevaluation of Leptosuchus Case, 1922"](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1475-4983.2010.00983.x). *Palaeontology*. **53** (5): 997–1022. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2010Palgy..53..997S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2010Palgy..53..997S). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1475-4983.2010.00983.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1475-4983.2010.00983.x).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Protome_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Protome_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Protome_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Protome_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Protome_2-4) Stocker, M. R. (2012). "A new phytosaur (Archosauriformes, Phytosauria) from the Lot's Wife beds (Sonsela Member) within the Chinle Formation (Upper Triassic) of Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona". *Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology*. **32** (3): 573–586. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2012JVPal..32..573S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012JVPal..32..573S). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/02724634.2012.649815](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F02724634.2012.649815). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [129527672](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:129527672).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ParkerIrmis06_3-0)** Parker, W. G.; Irmis, R. B. (2006). ["A new species of the Late Triassic phytosaur Pseudopalatus (Archosauria: Pseudosuchia) from Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona"](http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~irmisr/pseudjab.pdf) (PDF). *Museum of Northern Arizona Bulletin*. **62**: 126–143.

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Taxon identifiers Pravusuchus Wikidata: Q7238894 EoL: 18779670 GBIF: 8678303 IRMNG: 1476949 Open Tree of Life: 6149615 Paleobiology Database: 171949

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