Ebonysuchus

Ebonysuchus is an extinct genus of crocodylomorph that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Niger. The genus name, derived from "ebony" and the Greek word "suchos" (crocodile), refers to the dark fossil material and its crocodilian affinity. The type species, Ebonysuchus clarkae, was named and described in 2007 based on fossil remains discovered in the Echkar Formation. This formation is known for its diverse assemblage of prehistoric fauna, including dinosaurs and other reptiles.

Ebonysuchus is classified within the Notosuchia, a diverse group of terrestrial or semi-terrestrial crocodylomorphs that flourished during the Cretaceous. Based on its skeletal features, Ebonysuchus is believed to have been a relatively small to medium-sized crocodylomorph, likely adapted for a terrestrial lifestyle. Its dentition suggests an omnivorous or possibly insectivorous diet. The discovery of Ebonysuchus contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary history and ecological diversification of crocodylomorphs in Africa during the Late Cretaceous, a time when these animals occupied a wide range of ecological niches alongside the more familiar large predatory dinosaurs.