Cranial anatomy of the mekosuchine crocodylian Trilophosuchus rackhami Willis, 1993

A groundbreaking analysis of the fossilized skull of Trilophosuchus rackhami, a small-bodied mekosuchine crocodylian from Australia's middle Miocene, reveals unique cranial traits that distinguish it as one of the most morphologically distinct members of its group. Micro-CT scanning enabled unprecedented digital dissection of the cranium, providing insights into both T. rackhami and broader mekosuchine anatomy. The study also extends the genus' temporal range by over 10 million years, with evidence from a late Oligocene parietal bone. Phylogenetic reassessment challenges the traditional classification of Mekosuchinae, suggesting its status as a subfamily may require reevaluation.

Ristevski, J., Weisbecker, V., Scanlon, J. D., Price, G. J., & Salisbury, S. W. (2022). Cranial anatomy of the mekosuchine crocodylian Trilophosuchus rackhami Willis, 1993. The Anatomical Record, 306(2), 239–297. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25050