A Deinosuchus riograndensis (Eusuchia: Alligatoroidea) from Coahuila, North Mexico

Abstract

Diagnostic remains of Deinosuchus have been discovered in the Aguja Formation (Late Cretaceous, late Campanian) near the town of La Salada (northwestern Coahuila, Mexico) and are described here for the first time. The material comprises six teeth and tooth fragments that were found associated with postcranial material such as two osteoderms and a cervical and caudal vertebra and is referred here to D. riograndensis. The association with a variety of herbivorous dinosaurs and trionychid turtles suggest a predator-prey interaction, which is confirmed by the occurrence of a vertebra with a Deinosuchus bite mark. The Deinosuchus remains from La Salada represent the southernmost occurrence of the genus known to date.