#ornithosuchids

The largest carnivorous archosaur of late Triassic central Europe, Smok wawelski may be a rauisuchid (large predatory Triassic archosaur), prestosuchid (active terrestrial Triassic apex predator), ornithosuchid pseudosuchian (distant relative of crocodilians), or a primitive theropod dinosaur. However, its relation to other archosaurs has not been thoroughly studied, so its status as dinosaur, crocodile, or other remains a mystery.

#Archovember Day 9 - Dynamosuchus collisensis

The Triassic was a very productive time for pseudosuchians. They were trying out every shape, size, and niche while dinosaurs were only just beginning to get a foothold. The Ornithosuchids were a family of these Triassic pseudosuchians. They had downturned snouts and were facultatively bipedal, meaning they spent most of their time walking on all fours but could walk on their hind legs for short periods of time. In Late Triassic Brazil, Ornithosuchids were represented by the high-walking, bone-crushing scavenger Dynamosuchus collisensis.

Dynamosuchus had a powerful bite force but a slow bite speed, meaning it was likely a scavenger. Considered a close relative of the Argentinian Venaticosuchus, Dynamosuchus filled the important niche of large scavenger in the Santa Maria Formation.