Peirosauroidea

Peirosauroidea is an extinct clade of mesoeucrocodylian crocodylomorphs. These prehistoric reptiles lived during the Cretaceous period. The group is characterized by a suite of unique anatomical features, particularly in the skull and pelvis. Peirosauroidea is considered a basal group within the Neosuchia, meaning they are an early-branching lineage within the more inclusive group of modern-looking crocodiles and their closest extinct relatives.

Fossils of peirosauroids have been found in various parts of the world, with significant discoveries in South America and Africa. Their diet likely consisted of meat, though specific details about their ecological roles are inferred from their fossil evidence. The exact phylogenetic relationships of Peirosauroidea have been subject to ongoing research and debate among paleontologists, with different studies proposing varying positions within the crocodylomorph family tree. However, they are generally accepted as an important component of Cretaceous ecosystems. The name "Peirosauroidea" refers to a superfamily, often containing families like Peirosauridae.