Masillasuchus

Masillasuchus is a genus of extinct crocodyliform (a group related to modern crocodiles) that lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 228 to 201 million years ago. Fossils of this genus have been discovered in what is now Spain, particularly in the region of Teruel, where it was first described in 2003 by paleontologists José Ignacio Canudo and Luis Alcalá.

Masillasuchus is notable for its relatively small size, with estimated lengths ranging from about 1.5 to 2 meters (4.9 to 6.6 feet). Its skull was elongated and equipped with sharp teeth, suggesting a predatory lifestyle. The genus is distinguished by several unique anatomical features, including a narrow snout, a row of small teeth along the roof of the mouth, and a distinctive arrangement of bones in the skull. These traits help differentiate it from other contemporaneous crocodyliforms.

The name *Masillasuchus* combines the location of its discovery, Masilla (a village near Teruel), with the Greek word *sauros*, meaning "lizard." This genus is one of the earliest known members of the clade Phytosauria, a group of semi-aquatic predators that were once widespread in Triassic ecosystems. Despite their crocodile-like appearance, phytosaurians were not true crocodiles but belonged to a separate evolutionary lineage.

Fossil evidence of Masillasuchus provides valuable insights into the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of Late Triassic environments. Its remains have been found in sedimentary rocks deposited in fluvial and lacustrine (river and lake) settings, indicating that it inhabited freshwater habitats. The discovery of Masillasuchus contributes to the understanding of the evolutionary history of archosaurs, the group that includes crocodiles, birds, and dinosaurs.