Gobiosuchus

Gobiosuchus is an extinct genus of crocodylomorph that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Mongolia. Its fossils have been found in the Nemegt Formation. The name Gobiosuchus means "Gobi crocodile," referring to the Gobi Desert where it was discovered. It is a member of the family Gobiosuchidae, a group of relatively small, bipedal crocodylomorphs.

Gobiosuchus was a small, terrestrial animal, estimated to be around 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length. It possessed several adaptations suggesting a lifestyle distinct from modern aquatic crocodilians. Its hindlimbs were relatively long and robust, indicating it was likely a capable runner. The skull was elongated and narrow, with sharp teeth, suggesting a diet of small vertebrates or insects. Unlike many later crocodylomorphs, Gobiosuchus did not possess extensive osteoderms, or bony plates, on its back.

The discovery of Gobiosuchus and its relatives has provided valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of crocodylomorphs during the Mesozoic Era, particularly in Gondwanan and Asian ecosystems. These early forms show a divergence from the aquatic lineages that would eventually lead to modern crocodiles, highlighting a period of significant experimentation in body plans and ecological niches within the crocodylomorph radiation.