Colonysuchus

Colonysuchus is an extinct genus of crocodilian that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now North America. Its fossils have been found in deposits dating back approximately 75 to 70 million years ago. The genus name, Colonysuchus, reflects its discovery in a fossiliferous area that was once a colony of some sort, and "suchus" being a common suffix for crocodile-like reptiles.

This ancient crocodyliform is known from limited fossil remains, primarily skull fragments and some postcranial elements. Based on these finds, scientists have inferred that Colonysuchus was a relatively small to medium-sized crocodilian. It likely possessed the characteristic armored body and powerful jaws typical of its order. Its diet would have consisted of fish, small vertebrates, and invertebrates that inhabited its freshwater or brackish aquatic environment.

The exact phylogenetic placement of Colonysuchus within the crocodilian family tree is still debated among paleontologists due to the fragmentary nature of the fossils. However, it is generally considered to be part of the Eusuchia clade, which includes most living crocodilians. The discovery of Colonysuchus contributes to our understanding of crocodilian diversity and evolution during the Mesozoic Era, particularly in the changing ecosystems of the Late Cretaceous. Its presence highlights the varied forms that crocodilians took before the end-Cretaceous extinction event.