noncrocodylomorphs

Noncrocodylomorphs represent a broad and paraphyletic group of archosauromorph reptiles that existed before the divergence of the crocodylomorph lineage. This informal grouping encompasses all archosaurs that are not crocodylomorphs or their direct ancestors. Understanding noncrocodylomorphs is crucial for reconstructing the evolutionary history of Archosauria, the clade that includes crocodiles, birds, and their extinct relatives.

The group includes a diverse array of extinct reptiles. Prominent among them are the pseudosuchians, which were the dominant terrestrial predators during the Triassic period. Pseudosuchians comprised many distinct lineages, such as the aetosaurs, phytosaurs, and rauisuchians, each with unique anatomical adaptations and ecological roles. These animals occupied niches later filled by theropod dinosaurs.

Beyond the pseudosuchians, the term noncrocodylomorph can also be applied to other early archosauriforms. This includes groups like the crurotarsans, a historical classification that largely overlaps with modern pseudosuchians. The evolutionary relationships within this broad group are complex and subject to ongoing research, with new fossil discoveries continually refining our understanding of their diversification and extinction patterns. The extinction of most noncrocodylomorph lineages, particularly the larger pseudosuchians, around the end of the Triassic period paved the way for the rise of the dinosaurs.