Elosuchus cherifiensis, (LAVOCAT, 1955)

ELOSUCHUS CHERIFIENSIS ( LAVOCAT, 1955)

Lectotype. E 1 ( Fig. 3 View Figure 3 ).

Referred material. MNHN MRS 340, isolated cranial material; the remainder of the MNHN Escuille collection, E, including E 43, a partial lower jaw ( Fig. 4 View Figure 4 ); ROM 52586, a partial skull ( Fig. 5 View Figure 5 ); and many fragmentary specimens listed in de Lapparent de Broin (2002).

Distribution. Morocco (Kem Kem Beds, Ifezouane and Aoufous Formations) ( Fig. 1B View Figure 1 ).

Age . Cretaceous (Cenomanian).

Diagnosis. Same as for genus but with the addition of: postorbital bar subvertical; postorbital bar ellipsoid in cross-section; postorbital bar flaring ventrally; anterior supraorbital bar waisted and unornamented at midlength.

DESCRIPTION

We only discuss here the characters that are unique to this species, based on the revised lectotype, E 1. Figure 15 View Figure 15 illustrates a reconstruction of the species. The postorbital bar of E. cherifiensis is orientated in a near vertical position. The posterior margin is linear and vertical whereas the anterior margin is strongly concave, flaring anterodorsally to the anterolateral process of the postorbital and anteroventrally behind the superficial surface of the jugal. The expanded postorbital bar is distinctly elliptical in cross-section. The anterior bar of the supratemporal fenestra is distinctly waisted at its midlength. This region is also unsculpted with a smooth surface emerging from the orbit and passing to the supratemporal fenestra. The posterior bar of the supratemporal fenestra is thin, less than onethird the width of the lateral bar of the same fenestra, but its morphology is eroded on the specimen.