Peirosauridae

Peirosauridae is an extinct family of crocodyliforms that lived during the Cretaceous period. These semi-aquatic predators were found in Gondwana, a supercontinent that included modern-day South America, Africa, India, Antarctica, and Australia. Peirosaurids are characterized by their robust build, relatively short snouts, and powerful jaws, suggesting a predatory lifestyle. Their exact phylogenetic placement has been debated, but they are generally considered to be members of the Notosuchia clade, a group of terrestrial and semi-aquatic crocodylomorphs endemic to Gondwana.

Fossils of peirosaurids have been discovered in various locations across South America, particularly in Brazil and Argentina. Notable genera within the family include Peirosaurus, Itasuchus, and Emaxechampsa. These animals likely inhabited freshwater environments such as rivers and lakes, preying on fish, smaller reptiles, and possibly even small mammals. The discovery of peirosaurid fossils provides valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of crocodyliforms in the Southern Hemisphere during the Mesozoic Era. Their extinction, like that of the non-avian dinosaurs, is linked to the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.