PBDB Taxon

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Crocodylus (crocodile)

Reptilia

Taxonomy

Crocodylus was named by Laurenti (1768). It is extant. Its type is Crocodylus niloticus.

It was corrected as Crocodilus by Leidy (1873) and Perrier (1928); it was misspelled as Crocodilus by Cope (1875), Hay (1902), Andrews (1906), Lambe (1908), Hay (1930), Mook (1962), Miller (1967), Sahni and Mishra (1975), Miller (1980), Carroll (1988), Willis (1993), Morgan (1994), Frank and Ramus (1996), Lang and Guilette (2002), Pol and Norell (2004), Cisneros (2005), Zaher et al. (2006), Larsson and Sues (2007), Jouve et al. (2008), Martin and Buffetaut (2008), Fiorelli and Calvo (2008), Burney et al. (2008), Nascimento and Zaher (2011), Puértolas et al. (2011), Rio and Mannion (2021) and Hekkala et al. (2021).

It was assigned to Dactylopodes by Meyer (1845); to Sauria by Leidy (1860); to Crocodilia by Owen (1842) and Leidy (1873); to Crocodilidae by d'Orbigny (1849), Cope (1875), Andrews (1906), Lambe (1908) and Perrier (1928); to Crocodilinae by Mook (1962); to Mesoeucrocodylia by Pol and Norell (2004); to Crocodyloidea by Martin and Buffetaut (2008); to Neosuchia by Zaher et al. (2006), Larsson and Sues (2007), Fiorelli and Calvo (2008) and Nascimento and Zaher (2011); to Crocodylidae by Hay (1902), Hay (1930), Miller (1967), Miller (1980), Carroll (1988), Morgan (1994), Frank and Ramus (1996), Lang and Guilette (2002), Cisneros (2005), Burney et al. (2008) and Puértolas et al. (2011); to Crocodylinae by Rio and Mannion (2021); and to Crocodylinae by Sahni and Mishra (1975), Willis (1993), Jouve et al. (2008) and Hekkala et al. (2021).

Species

Crocodilus (Ichthyosuchus), Crocodilus antiquus, Crocodilus biporcatus, Crocodilus ziphodon, C. (Leptorhynchus), C. acer, C. acutus, C. affinis (syn. Crocodilus brevicollis, Brachyuranochampsa zangerli, Crocodilus clavis, Crocodilus grinnelli herpichanus, Crocodilus grinnelli, Crocodilus liodon), C. americanus, C. anthropophagus, C. aptus, C. bambolii, C. caralitanus, C. chamensis, C. checchiai, C. elliotti, C. falconensis, C. gariepensis, C. gaudense, C. grypus, C. halli, C. heterodon, C. intermedius, C. johnstoni, C. megarhinus (syn. Crocodilus articeps), C. mindorensis, C. moreletii, C. niloticus (syn. C. madagascariensis) (type species), C. niloticus kaisensis, C. novaeguineae, C. palaeindicus (syn. C. sivalensis), C. palustris, C. parvus, C. polyodon, C. porosus (syn. C. nathani), C. raninus, C. rhombifer (syn. C. antillensis, C. pristinus), C. siamensis (syn. C. ossifragus), C. solaris, C. stavelianus, C. subulatus, C. suchus, C. sulciferus, C. thorbjarnarsoni, C. wheelerii, C. ziphodon, Limnosaurus

Species lacking formal opinion data

C. bugtiensis, C. gaudensis

Sister genera

Limnosaurus

Synonyms

Crocodilus clavis was named by Cope (1871) [type from "the upper waters of Bitter Creek, Wyoming Territory"]. It is a 3D body fossil.

It was recombined as Crocodylus clavis by Hay (1902) and Hay (1930); it was synonymized subjectively with Crocodylus affinis by Brochu (2000).
Crocodilus liodon was named by Marsh (1871). Its type specimen is YPM 1350(b), a partial skeleton (A very fragmentary skeleton including several vertebrae, the left quadrate, rostral fragments, and articulars and surangulars), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Grizzly Buttes, which is in a Bridgerian terrestrial horizon in the Bridger Formation of Wyoming.

It was recombined as Crocodylus liodon by Hay (1902) and Hay (1930); it was synonymized subjectively with Crocodylus affinis by Norell and Storrs (1989).
Crocodilus grinnelli was named by Marsh (1871). Its type specimen is YPM 1344, a partial skeleton (A fragmentary skeleton and skull), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Marsh's Fork (Upper Bridger), which is in a Bridgerian terrestrial horizon in the Bridger Formation of Wyoming.

It was recombined as Crocodylus grinnellii by Hay (1902); it was recombined as Crocodylus grinnelli by Hay (1930); it was synonymized subjectively with Crocodylus affinis by Norell and Storrs (1989).
Crocodylus niloticus kaisensis was named by Swinton (1926). Its type specimen is NHMUK R5044, a partial skull (Partial maxilla and premaxilla), and it is a 3D body fossil.

It was considered a nomen dubium by Brochu and Storrs (2012).
Crocodylus bambolii was named by Ristori (1890). Its type specimen is IGF 11763, a partial skull, and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Monte Bamboli Lignite Mine, which is in a Turolian lacustrine lignite in Italy.

It was considered a nomen dubium by Delfino and Rook (2008).
Limnosaurus was named by Marsh (1872). Its type is Crocodilus ziphodon.

It was considered a nomen nudum by Langston (1975).

It was assigned to Crocodylidae by Hay (1902) and Hay (1930).
Crocodilus brevicollis was named by Marsh (1871). Its type specimen is YPM 1349, a set of vertebrae (Three cervical vertebrae), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Grizzly Buttes, which is in a Bridgerian terrestrial horizon in the Bridger Formation of Wyoming.

It was recombined as Crocodylus brevicollis by Hay (1902); it was synonymized subjectively with Crocodylus affinis by Norell and Storrs (1989).
Crocodilus grinnelli herpichanus was named by Troxell (1925). Its type specimen is YPM 300, a skeleton (Skull and skeleton), and it is a 3D body fossil.

It was synonymized subjectively with Crocodylus affinis by Norell and Storrs (1989).
Crocodylus caralitanus was named by Capellini (1890). Its type specimen is MGGC 148, a partial skull, and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Is Miriones, which is in a Tortonian/Messinian carbonate limestone in the Calcari di Cagliari Formation of Italy.

It was considered a nomen oblitum by Zoboli et al. (2019); it was recombined as Tomistoma calaritanum by Capellini (1890), Kotsakis et al. (2004) and Nicholl et al. (2020).
Crocodylus affinis was named by Marsh (1871). Its type specimen is YPM 1345, a skull (Skull and mandible), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Grizzly Buttes, which is in a Bridgerian terrestrial horizon in the Bridger Formation of Wyoming.

It was considered a nomen dubium by Jouve et al. (2008) and Puértolas et al. (2011).
Crocodylus acer was named by Cope (1882). Its type specimen is AMNH 1240, a skull, and it is a 3D body fossil.

It was considered a nomen dubium by Jouve et al. (2008) and Puértolas et al. (2011).
Brachyuranochampsa zangerli was named by Mook (1962). Its type specimen is AMNH 6048, a partial skull (skull without lower jaws with a few parts missing), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Grizzly Buttes, which is in a Bridgerian terrestrial horizon in the Bridger Formation of Wyoming.

It was synonymized subjectively with Crocodylus affinis by Brochu (2000).

Synonymy list

Year	Name and author
1768	Crocodylus Laurenti
1842	Crocodilus Owen p. 65
1845	Crocodylus Meyer p. 281
1849	Crocodilus d'Orbigny p. 206
1860	Crocodilus Leidy p. 146
1868	Crocodylus caralitanus Gennari
1871	Crocodilus clavis Cope p. 485
1871	Crocodilus brevicollis Marsh
1871	Crocodylus affinis Marsh
1871	Crocodilus liodon Marsh p. 104
1871	Crocodilus grinnelli Marsh p. 105
1872	Crocodilus clavis Cope
1872	Limnosaurus Marsh p. 309
1873	Crocodilus Leidy p. 125
1875	Crocodilus liodon Cope p. 33
1875	Crocodilus Cope p. 54
1882	Crocodilus acer Cope
1882	Crocodylus acer Cope
1890	Crocodylus caralitanus Capellini
1890	Tomistoma calaritanum Capellini
1890	Crocodylus bambolii Ristori
1902	Crocodylus Hay p. 512
1902	Crocodylus acer Hay p. 512
1902	Crocodylus affinis Hay p. 512
1902	Crocodylus brevicollis Hay p. 512
1902	Crocodylus clavis Hay p. 512
1902	Crocodylus grinnellii Hay p. 512
1902	Crocodylus liodon Hay p. 513
1902	Limnosaurus Hay p. 514
1906	Crocodilus Andrews p. 261
1908	Crocodilus Lambe
1921	Crocodylus affinis Mook p. 1
1921	Crocodylus acer Mook p. 117
1925	Crocodilus grinnelli herpichanus Troxell
1926	Crocodylus niloticus kaisensis Swinton
1928	Crocodilus Perrier p. 3089
1930	Crocodylus Hay p. 151
1930	Crocodylus acer Hay p. 153
1930	Crocodylus affinis Hay p. 153
1930	Crocodylus clavis Hay p. 153
1930	Crocodylus grinnelli Hay p. 153
1930	Crocodylus liodon Hay p. 154
1930	Limnosaurus Hay p. 155
1933	Crocodilus clavis Mook p. 7
1962	Brachyuranochampsa zangerli Mook p. 1 figs. 1-2
1962	Crocodylus Mook p. 5
1967	Crocodylus Miller p. 230
1975	Crocodylus Sahni and Mishra
1980	Crocodylus Miller p. 773
1988	Crocodylus Carroll
1993	Crocodylus Willis p. 96
1994	Crocodylus Morgan p. 467
1996	Crocodylus Frank and Ramus
2000	Crocodylus affinis Zonneveld et al.
2002	Crocodylus Lang and Guilette p. 213
2004	Tomistoma calaritanum Kotsakis et al.
2004	Crocodylus Pol and Norell
2005	Crocodylus Cisneros p. 242
2006	Crocodylus Zaher et al.
2007	Crocodylus Larsson and Sues
2008	Crocodylus Burney et al. p. 19
2008	Crocodylus Fiorelli and Calvo
2008	Crocodylus Jouve et al.
2008	Crocodylus Martin and Buffetaut
2011	Crocodylus Nascimento and Zaher
2011	Crocodylus Puértolas et al.
2020	Tomistoma calaritanum Nicholl et al.
2021	Crocodylus Hekkala et al.
2021	Crocodylus Rio and Mannion

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Rank	Name	Author
kingdom	Animalia	()
—	Bilateria
—	Eubilateria	Ax 1987
—	Deuterostomia
phylum	Chordata	Haeckel 1874
subphylum	Vertebrata
superclass	Gnathostomata
—	Osteichthyes	()
subclass	Sarcopterygii	()
subclass	Dipnotetrapodomorpha	(Nelson 2006)
subclass	Tetrapodomorpha	()
—	Tetrapoda
—	Reptiliomorpha
—	Anthracosauria
subclass	Amphibiosauria	Kuhn 1967
—	Cotylosauria	()
—	Amniota
—	Sauropsida
class	Reptilia
subclass	Eureptilia	()
—	Romeriida
—	Diapsida	()

Rank	Name	Author
—	Archosauromorpha	(Huene 1946)
—	Crocopoda
—	Archosauriformes	Gauthier 1986
—	Eucrocopoda
—	Archosauria	()
—	Pseudosuchia	(Zittel 1890)
—	Suchia	Krebs 1974
—	Paracrocodylomorpha
—	Loricata	(Merrem 1820)
—	Crocodylomorpha	()
—	Solidocrania
suborder	Crocodyliformes
—	Mesoeucrocodylia	Whetstone and Whybrow 1983
—	Neosuchia	Clark 1988
suborder	Eusuchia	Huxley 1875
—	Crocodylia	(Owen 1842)
—	Longirostres	Cuvier
—	Crocodyloidea	(Deraniyagala 1939)
—	Crocodylidae	(Cuvier 1807)
—	Crocodylinae	(Cuvier 1807)
genus	Crocodylus	Laurenti 1768

If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.

G. Crocodylus Laurenti 1768 [crocodile]

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Subg. †Crocodilus (Ichthyosuchus) Cope 1872

†Crocodilus antiquus Leidy 1852

†Crocodilus biporcatus Cuvier 1807

†Crocodilus moreletii barnumbrowni Mook 1959

†Crocodilus ziphodon Marsh 1871

Subg. †Crocodylus (Leptorhynchus) Cautley and Falconer 1840

†Crocodylus (Leptorhynchus) crassidens Cautley and Falconer 1840

†Crocodylus (Leptorhynchus) gangeticus Cautley and Falconer 1840

Crocodylus acutus Cuvier 1807 [American crocodile]

Crocodylus americanus Laurenti 1768 [American crocodile]

†Crocodylus anthropophagus Brochu et al. 2010

†Crocodylus aptus Leidy 1869

†Crocodylus chamensis Cope 1874

†Crocodylus checchiai Maccagno 1947

†Crocodylus elliotti Leidy 1871

†Crocodylus falconensis Scheyer et al. 2013

†Crocodylus gariepensis Pickford 2003

†Crocodylus gaudense Hulke 1871

†Crocodylus grypus Cope 1875

Crocodylus halli Murray et al. 2019 [Halls New Guinea Crocodile]

†Crocodylus heterodon Cope 1873

Crocodylus intermedius Graves 1819

Crocodylus johnstoni Krefft 1873 [Freshwater crocodile]

†Crocodylus megarhinus Andrews 1905

Invalid names: Crocodilus articeps Andrews 1905 [synonym]

Crocodylus mindorensis Schmidt 1935

Crocodylus moreletii Dumeril and Bibron 1851 [Morelet's crocodile]

Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti 1768 [Nile crocodile]

Invalid names: Crocodylus madagascariensis Grandidier 1872 [synonym]

Crocodylus novaeguineae Schmidt 1928

†Crocodylus palaeindicus Falconer and Walker 1859

Invalid names: Crocodylus sivalensis Lydekker 1886 [synonym]

Crocodylus palustris Lesson 1831 [mugger crocodile]

†Crocodylus parvus Osborn et al. 1878

†Crocodylus polyodon Cope 1873

Crocodylus porosus Schneider 1801 [saltwater crocodile]

Invalid names: Crocodylus nathani Longman 1924 [synonym]

Crocodylus raninus Ross 1990

Crocodylus rhombifer Cuvier 1807 [Cuban crocodile]

Invalid names: Crocodylus antillensis Varona 1966 [synonym], Crocodylus pristinus Leidy 1868 [synonym]

Crocodylus siamensis Schneider 1801 [Siamese crocodile]

Invalid names: Crocodylus ossifragus Dubois 1908 [synonym]

†Crocodylus solaris Marsh 1877

†Crocodylus stavelianus Cope 1885

†Crocodylus subulatus Cope 1872

Crocodylus suchus Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire 1807 [West African crocodile]

†Crocodylus sulciferus Cope 1872

†Crocodylus thorbjarnarsoni Brochu and Storrs 2012

†Crocodylus wheelerii Cope 1875

Invalid names: Crocodylus acer Cope 1882 [nomen dubium], Crocodylus affinis Marsh 1871 [nomen dubium], Crocodylus bambolii Ristori 1890 [nomen dubium], Crocodylus caralitanus Capellini 1890 [nomen oblitum], Crocodylus niloticus kaisensis Swinton 1926 [nomen dubium], Crocodylus ziphodon Marsh 1871 [nomen nudum], Limnosaurus Marsh 1872 [nomen nudum]

Diagnosis

No diagnoses are available

Measurements

No measurements are available

Composition:

phosphaticsubp

Environment:

marineuc

Locomotion:

actively mobilec

Diet:

carnivoreuc

Created:

2009-01-03 20:38:59

Modified:

2009-01-03 22:38:59

Source: c = class, subp = subphylum, uc = unranked clade

References: Carroll 1988, Hendy et al. 2009, Benton 1983, Bush and Bambach 2015

Age range

Maximum range based only on fossils: base of the Campanian to the top of the Holocene or 83.60000 to 0.00000 Ma
Minimum age of oldest fossil (stem group age): 72.1 Ma

Collections (279 total)

Time interval	Ma	Country or state	Original ID and collection number
Oldest occurrences
Campanian	83.6 - 72.1	New Zealand (South Island)	Crocodilus sp. (101382)
Selandian - Thanetian	61.6 - 56.0	Mali	Crocodilus sp. (83984)
Eocene	56.0 - 33.9	USA (Wyoming)	Crocodilus aptus (198892)
Wasatchian	55.8 - 50.3	USA (Utah)	Crocodilus acer (167729)
Wasatchian	55.8 - 50.3	USA (Wyoming)	Crocodilus sp. (180111) Crocodylus affinis (15665) Glyptosaurus sp. (131859)
Early/Lower Eocene	55.8 - 48.6	China (Jiangxi)	Crocodylus sp. (182565)
Wasatchian - Bridgerian	55.8 - 46.2	USA (Wyoming)	Crocodylus affinis (15669)
Bridgerian	50.3 - 46.2	USA (Wyoming)	Crocodilus elliottii (16414) Crocodilus grinnelli (16282 167354) Crocodylus affinis (15837 16235 16264 16265 16266 16267 16268 16270 16272 16273 16274 70257) Crocodylus affinis, Brachyuranochampsa zangerli, Crocodilus ziphodon, Crocodilus liodon, Crocodilus brevicollis (16228) Crocodylus affinis, Crocodylus acer (27269)
MP 11	48.6 - 40.4	Germany (Hessen)	Crocodilus ebertsi (22701)
Lutetian	47.8 - 41.3	USA (Texas)	Crocodylus sp. (209370 209371)
Middle Eocene	47.8 - 37.71	USA (Wyoming)	Crocodilus aptus (81455)
Middle Eocene	47.8 - 37.71	India (Assam)	Crocodylus sp. (97257)
Uintan	46.2 - 39.7	USA (Utah)	Crocodilus clavis (16656)
Priabonian	38.0 - 33.9	USA (Louisiana)	Crocodylus sp. (75638)
Early/Lower Oligocene	33.9 - 28.4	Egypt	Crocodylus sp. (187873 187874)
Rupelian	33.9 - 28.1	Egypt (Fayum)	Crocodilus articeps, Crocodilus megarhinus (65960) Crocodilus megarhinus (144514)
Early/Lower Miocene	23.03 - 15.97	Kenya	Crocodylus niloticus (70808)
Neogene	23.03 - 2.58	Myanmar	Crocodilus vulgaris, Leptorhynchus sp. (215569)
MN 2	22.4 - 20.0	Pakistan (Balochistan)	Crocodylus bugtiensis (77776 77777 77778)
Burdigalian	20.44 - 15.97	Pakistan (Balochistan)	Crocodylus bugtiensis (77784)