Migrations, diversifications and extinctions: the evolutionary history of crocodyliforms in Australasia

Crocodyliform palaeontology in Australasia has a productive research record that began the late nineteenth century and continues today. In this study, we summarize current understanding on taxonomic diversity phylogenetic relationships of Australasian crocodyliforms based first-hand knowledge relevant fossil material review published literature. The currently known Crocodyliformes spans more than 113 million years, from Early Cretaceous to Holocene, largely consists body fossils discovered continental Australia. Whilst only two crocodyliform genera are recognized Australasia’s Mesozoic, Cenozoic is distinguished by remarkable crocodylian crocodyliforms. By far most common crocodylians members Mekosuchinae, whose unambiguously early Eocene until Holocene. addition mekosuchines, during was also inhabited gavialoids species Crocodylus, with four extant latter being surviving Australia New Guinea. crocodylians, particularly have been topic interest palaeontologists for over decades. We performed several analyses test Mekosuchinae other extinct crocodylians. Most results our found as basal crocodyloid clade within Longirostres. However, some recovered an alternative position majority mekosuchines outside Longirostres Late Cretaceous–early Paleogene Orientalosuchina its deeply nested subclade. These suggest had origins Asia Cretaceous, arrived southeast into no later Paleocene. If hypothesis correct, then would longer be endemic since seem persisted Eocene.Jorgo Ristevski [[email protected]], School Biological Sciences, University Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia; Paul M. A. Willis [[email protected]], Flinders University, Adelaide, 2100, South Australia, Adam Yates [[email protected]], Museum Central Art Gallery Northern Territory, Alice Springs, 0870, Matt White [[email protected]], Palaeoscience Research Centre, England, Armidale, 2351, Wales, Australian Age Dinosaurs Natural History, Jump-Up, Winton, 4735, Lachlan J. Hart [[email protected]], Earth Sustainability Science Biological, Environmental Sciences (BEES), Kensington, 2052, Institute, 1 William Street, Sydney, 2010, Michael D. Stein [[email protected]], Center, Gilbert Price [[email protected]], Steven W. Salisbury [[email protected]],