Fossil - A vertebra of a crocodile (Elosuchus cherifiensis).

Fossil - A vertebra of a crocodile (Elosuchus cherifiensis).

Early Cretaceous, Alba stage, ca. 113.5 - 100.5 million years ago, Taouz, Kem Kem area, Morocco.

Elosuchus cherifiensis vertebra. Elosuchus cherifiensis (Fortignathus) is an extinct species of crocodilian that lived during the Early Cretaceous period in what is now Algeria and Morocco in North Africa. Elosuchus had a long, narrow snout like that of a modern gharial. It is believed to have been a fully aquatic animal. Frenchman René Lavocat named Elosuchus cherifiensis as a species of Thoracosauridae, but France de Lapparent de Broin reassigned it to its own family (Elosuchidae) in 2002. The vertebra measures approximately 77mm x 40mm x 36mm. Weight approximately 91g.

Archosauromorpha is a clade of diapsid sauropsids, comprising archosaurs (such as crocodilians and dinosaurs, including birds) and all other diapsids that are more closely related to archosaurs than to lepidosauromorphs (such as lizards, snakes, and tuatara). The first archosauromorphs evolved in the late Permian, but the group did not become widespread until the Triassic, after the Permian mass extinction.

Symbol meaning

Ritual use

Note! Fossils are natural products that are millions of years old, so each one is unique. Therefore, colors, shapes and brightness may vary. The condition varies from fair to good and there are typical wear, fractures and small chips for fossils.