Fossil "Elosuchus cherifiensis"

Early Cretaceous epoch, Albian stage, 113,5 - 100,5 million years ago, Taouz, Kem Kem Basin, Marocco.

Elosuchus (Fortignathus) is an extinct genus of neosuchian crocodyliform that lived during the Early Cretaceous of what is now North Africa. Elosuchus had an elongated snout like a gharial and was probably a fully aquatic animal. The type species, E. cherifiensis from Algeria and Morocco, was originally described as a species of Thoracosaurus by Lavocat, but was recognized as a genus separate from Thoracosaurus by de Broin in 2002. Elosuchus felixi, described from the Echkar Formation of Niger, was renamed Fortignathus in 2016 and is either a dyrosaurid relative or a non-hyposaurine dyrosaurid.

Gorgeous E. cherifiensis vertebrae. Moderate condition. Beautiful dark brown patina. Age-related heavy wear, cracks and partially fractured. Dirt and dust. Fossil is treated with a surface-protecting shellac and beeswax. Size approx. 7,7cm x 4,0cm x 3,6cm. Weight c. 91g.