Discover Caipirasuchus | Crocodile of the Countryside

In the Late Cretaceous Period, a unique crocodyliform known as Caipirasuchus roamed the diverse landscapes of southeastern Brazil. Named after the rural inhabitants of the region, this intriguing dinosaur provides a fascinating glimpse into the prehistoric ecosystems that once flourished in the Bauru Basin. Described for the first time in 2011, Caipirasuchus stands out not only for its distinctive name but also for its species diversity and good fossil record.

The first specimen of Caipirasuchus was unearthed at Sao Francisco Farm in Monte Alto County, Sao Paulo State. Since then, five other species have been described, revealing intriguing anatomy and lifestyle of this crocodyliform. As we explore the origins, taxonomy, and natural habitat of Caipirasuchus, we uncover the intricate details that make this a significant piece of the Late Cretaceous puzzle.

Caipirasuchus Key Facts

Fact	Detail
Pronunciation	kai-pee-rah-SOO-kus
Meaning of name	Crocodile of the Countryside
Group	Crocodylomorpha
Type Species	Caipirasuchus paulistanus
Other Species	C. montealtensis, C. stenognathus, C. minerius, C. attenboroughi, C. catanduvensisI (Iori et al., 2024)
Diet	Herbivorous-Omnivorous
When it Lived	Around 87 to 66.0 MYA
Period	Late Cretaceous
Epoch	Late Coniacian-late Maastrichtian
Length	NA
Height	NA
Weight	NA
Mobility	Moved on four legs
First Discovery	unknown
Described by	2011 by Fabiano Iori and Ismar Carvalho
Holotype	MPMA 67-0001/00 (type species)
Location of first find	Central-Northern São Paulo State, Southeastern Brazil (Adamantina Formation), at the vicinities of Monte Alto City

Caipirasuchus Origins, Taxonomy and Timeline

Caipirasuchus, translating to “Crocodile of the Countryside,” reflects its etymological roots from the Portuguese word “Caipira” and the Greek word “suchus” for crocodile. “Caipira” historically referred to the rural people of Sao Paulo State, symbolizing the deep connection between this dinosaur and its discovery location.

Discover Caipirasuchus | Crocodile of the Countryside. Discover Caipirasuchus, the Late Cretaceous Crocodylomorph from Brazil, known for its unique skull and diverse subspecies.

Belonging to the group Crocodylomorpha and the Sphagesauridae (a group part of the larger Cretaceous Notosuchia), Caipirasuchus comprises several species, including C. paulistanus, C. montealtensis, C. stenognathus, C. minerius, C. attenboroughi (yes, it named after David Attenborough!), and C. catanduvensis. Each subspecies exhibits unique traits that reflect the evolutionary adaptations of these ancient reptiles. The type species, Caipirasuchus paulistanus, serves as the primary representative of this genus.

All Caipirasuchus species have been found in the Upper Cretaceous Adamantina Formation (Bauru Basin, Bauru Group) in Brazil. However the age of the Formation is disputed, depending on the dating method. Ostracods fossils suggest a Campanian to Maastrichtian age, while analyses of charophytes in parallel to ostracods suggests a Turonian to Santonian age. Later studies using U-Pb dating indicate that the lower boundary of the Formation is post Turonian. Iori et al., 2024, while describing C. catanduvensis, conclude to a possible late Coniacian-late Maastrichtian age for the Adamantina Formation.

Discovery & Fossil Evidence

The date of discovery of the type species holotype is unknown. The initial publication from Iori and Carvahlho (2011) states that it was discovered on São Francisco Farm, Homem de Mello, Monte Alto County, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil.

The specimen, a skull and mandibule catalogued as MPMA 15-001/90, is from the Adamantina Formation. Further research has significantly expanded our understanding of Caipirasuchus, leading to the identification of several additional species. Researchers such as Fabiano V. Iori, Diego Pol, Agustín Martinelli, and Mario Bronzati have made substantial contributions to this field. The later description of C. montealtensis, C. stenognathus, C. minerius, C. attenboroughi, and C. catanduvensis highlights the evolutionary diversity within the genus. These discoveries offer new insights into the variations in morphology and adaptation strategies among different subspecies.

A notable update includes the reclassification of C. montealtensis, initially named as a species of Sphagesaurus by Marco Brandalise de Andrade and Reinaldo J. Bertini in 2008, based on MPMA 15-001/90. In 2013, this specimen was reassigned to Caipirasuchus following the discovery of a new specimen, MPMA 68-0003/12, which consists of a nearly complete cranium, mandible, and a posterior portion of the post-cranium, found in Catanduva, northern São Paulo.

The exceptional preservation of fossils from the Adamantina/Vale do Rio do Peixe Formation in the Bauru Basin has been instrumental in studying Caipirasuchus. These formations, characterized by fine-grained sandstones and mudstones, suggest a fluvial environment with semi-arid conditions. This geological context provides a detailed backdrop for understanding the life and habitat of this Late Cretaceous crocodylomorph, enriching our knowledge of its ecological and evolutionary significance.

Caipirasuchus Size and Description

Short Description of Caipirasuchus

Caipirasuchus was a small terrestrial crocodylomorph, with slender but supportive limbs. The body was covered in body plates (osteoderms), typical of crocodylomorph, offering protection and camouflage.

The limbs were designed for movement on all fours, providing stability and speed. The iliac morphology suggests that this croc had an erect to semi-erect posture, adapted to life on land. The tail is rather long, about half of the body in length, in most Caipirasuchus species, but C. mineirus that have a rather short tail compared to related species.

The teeth arrangement in Caipirasuchus allows for complex mastication involving tooth-to-tooth occlusion. The dentition is characteristic to that of herbivorous/omnivorous feeding behaviors. The space between the teeth is large, which aligns with a propalinal movement of the lower jaw (where the mandible moves anteriorly and posteriorly during mastication, thanks to a particular anatomy of the articular), allowing to chew on fibrous food.

Lastly, the newly described species (in 2024), C. catanduvensis, displayed an interesting cranial morphology. The analysis of the palate through CT-scan revealed the presence of extra soft tissue chambers in the snout connected to the breathing system, which was likely for vocalisation purposes (used as air resonance).

Size and Weight of Type Species

None of the Caipirasuchus specimens found to this date were complete, rendering the body mass and size estimation difficult. A 2016 study however attempted to provide estimations, based on the limb bones available, and the number of osteoderms found on the specimens (osteoderms are bony plates found below the skins of crocodylomorphs). They conclude that Caipirasuchus would have been around 4 feet in length, 1 foot height and 0.6 foot width.

Contemporary Taxa

Other crocodylomorphs lived during the late Cretaceous. Particularly, the clade Crocodylia (that includes our modern crocs and alligators) arose during the Campanian. Among them was Deinosuchus (no, not Deinonychus), a freshwater crocodile. This taxon, closer in shape to our modern Nile crocodiles, was likely an apex predator. It was much bigger than the Nile crocodile, with adult specimens reaching the length of 35 feet (but keep in mind that like modern croc, fossil specimens might have kept growing all their life).

Another crocodylomorph that lived during the late Cretaceous is Chenanisuchus. This taxon is part of the Neosuchia, the sister clade to the Notosuchia (that includes Caipirasuchus). Found in Mali and Morocco, this taxon lived in marine environments. Indeed, the study of his inner ear morphology suggests that it was adapted to walk on the sea floor, rather than swimming. In addition, this taxon survived the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction and continued to thrive until the late Paleogene. In contrast, Caipirasuchus our terrestrial croc, did not make it (but note that some of his notosuchian relatives did, with some taxon spanging up to the Neogene Period).

While Caipirasuchus is crocodylomorph, it shared its habitat with a variety of fascinating dinosaurs. One of the notable dinosaurs that roamed the same landscape was Pycnonemosaurus, a large theropod renowned for its formidable size and predatory prowess. This mighty predator likely occupied a similar ecological niche, asserting dominance as a top predator. Caipirasuchus might as served as prey to this mighty dino!

Adding to this intricate web of life was Adamantisaurus, a massive herbivorous dinosaur. His size allowed him to feed on taller vegetation than Caipirasuchus, so they not have been in competition for food. The sheer size and potential defensive behaviors of Adamantisaurus presented a formidable challenge for any predator.

Interesting Points about Caipirasuchus

Name Origin: Caipirasuchus is named after the rural people of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, reflecting the area where it was found.
Family and Diversity: This dinosaur is part of the Sphagesauridae family, known for its unique adaptations. Caipirasuchus has several subspecies, each with different physical traits, showing its evolutionary diversity.
Key Discoveries: The main specimen, MPMA 67-0001/00, found at Sao Francisco Farm. It is almost complete and has provided valuable information about its anatomy and lifestyle. Another important find is the nearly complete skull and jaw, MPMA 15-001/90, initially thought to belong to a different genus but later classified as Caipirasuchus.
Skull Features: Caipirasuchus has a distinct skull with intricate ridges and grooves. These features likely helped in social interactions or acted as defense mechanisms against other animals.
Well-Preserved Fossils: The fossils of Caipirasuchus are exceptionally well-preserved, found in the Bauru Basin’s Adamantina/Vale do Rio do Peixe Formation. This area was a river environment with semi-arid conditions. Helping scientists understand the dinosaur’s habitat and lifestyle during the Late Cretaceous period.

Caipirasuchus in its Natural Habitat

Caipirasuchus thrived in a dynamic and diverse environment during the Late Cretaceous Period. This period saw the Bauru Basin’s formation due to the continental breakup during the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. Located in what is now southeastern Brazil, this region was a mosaic of lush vegetation, semi-arid areas, and extensive river systems. Combined it was offering a variety of habitats for numerous species.

Caipirasuchus is part of the fascinating Notosuchia, a group of mainly terrestrial crocodylomorph that arose during the Early Cretaceous and came extinct during the Neogene Period. Members of the group where mainly terrestrial and bear various type of dentition, indicating they occupied diverse ecological niches. In particular, the shagesaurids were herbivorous/omnivorous. In regards of its dentition and mandibular articulation, Caipirasuchus would have been feeding on plants, living in lush environments rather than arid nor aquatic landscapes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Caipirasuchus mean?

Caipirasuchus means “Crocodile of the Countryside.” It’sderived from the Portuguese word “Caipira,” referring to rural inhabitants of Sao Paulo State, and the Greek word “souchus,” meaning crocodile.

When did Caipirasuchus live?

This is debated in the literature, but likely from around 87 to 66.0 MYA

Where was Caipirasuchus discovered?

Caipirasuchus was first discovered in Monte Alto County, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Additional important specimens were also found at Bairro Cachoeira locality and in Catanduva, northern Sao Paulo.

What did Caipirasuchus eat?

It was likely an herbivorous croc.

How big was Caipirasuchus?

Small, less than 5 feets

What is unique about Caipirasuchus’s skull?

His dentition characterised a griding type of mastication, and one species of Caipirasuchus might have possessed vocalisation chambers.

Sources

The information in this article is based on various sources, drawing on scientific research, fossil evidence, and expert analysis. The aim is to provide a comprehensive and accurate overview of Caipirasuchus. However, please be aware that our understanding of dinosaurs and their world is constantly evolving as new discoveries are made.