Abstract

A partial skeleton ofMourasuchus, one of the most peculiar crocodylians of all time, that includes cranial and postcranial elements recovered from the late Miocene bone-beds of the Urumaco Formation (northwestern Venezuela) is herein described. Based on the presence of tall squamosal eminences, we assigned it toMourasuchus arendsi. To provide an empirical assessment of the palaeobiological affinities ofMourasuchus, we performed estimations of the body mass and body length based on severalMourasuchusskull measurements, and an analysis of death roll capability. Our results indicate thatMourasuchuswas indeed a large crocodylian, with a body length bigger than 9 m and weighed more than 4 tons. We find thatMourasuchus arendsiwas incapable of executing the 'death roll' as a feeding behaviour and as such was unable to predate giant mammals, which are relatively common in the Urumaco Formation. Finally, the specimen includes a slender humerus, which may indicate thatMourasuchushad weak forelimbs and would spend more time in the water.