Amphibian · GBIF taxon 8611791
Chroniosaurus dongusensis
Chroniosaurus dongusensisChroniosaurus dongusensis was a crocodile-like predator that patrolled the vast river systems of late Permian European Russia. Its dorsal surface bore a flexible line of sculptured, interlocking bony scutes fused directly to its neural spines, giving it armor without sacrificing lateral swimming movement. Equipped with sharp, conical teeth and elevated eye sockets, it ambushed fish and small terrestrial animals from beneath the water surface.
PrehistoricCarnivorousAmphibious
Licensed referenceDiBgd / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Palaeoniscum fish
- Aquatic invertebrates
- Small amphibians
Predators
- Gorgonopsians
- Large temnospondyls
ThreatsEcosystem collapse and climatic changes during the Permian-Triassic extinction
HabitatsFreshwater rivers, riparian lakes, and low-energy floodplains
Life spanUnknown (estimated 10–20 years)
Classification
- FamilyChroniosuchidae
- GenusChroniosaurus
- SpeciesChroniosaurus dongusensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct prehistoric species known only from fossil remains.
Responsible observation
- Fossil Identification: Look for narrow, heavily pitted dorsal scutes fused to vertebrae in late Permian sedimentary rocks.
- Museum Examination: Study articulated specimens in paleontology collections to observe the slender skull and predatory teeth.
Predator Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Competitor Dmitry Bogdanov / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
Close Relative Dmitry Bogdanov / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableClose Relative
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