The Pleistocene-Holocene distribution of Unique Crocodilians (Crocodilia) Worldwide

[Joseph Fossil]

The Crocodilians (Crocodilia) are a resilient group of reptiles, with the order originating around the Late Cretaceous 95 million years ago and still very prevalent globally in many aquatic ecosystems. But it was not too long ago that this group was even more diverse. Though way more diverse between the Paleocene-Pilocene eras between 64-2 Million years ago, the Crocodylomorpha (mainly Crocodillians) were still fairly diverse during the Pleistocene-Early Holocene eras - more diverse than they are today. This lack of diversity today is mainly due to the climate change that occurred between the Pleistocene and Holocene and (Unfortunately) overexploitation by Humans. Human induced Climate change since the Industrial Revolution and direct overexploitation by people still plagues many crocodilians today. It is only because of global Conservation efforts that some of the most endangered crocodilians today have a fighting chance at survival. I've decided to make a quick list of the unique crocodilians of the Pleistocene-Early(to part late) Holocene which can hopefully demonstrate the diversity of these magnificent animals during this time. Let me know if I forgot any examples.

 

 

Australia - Quinkana fortirostrum (Pliocene-Pleistocene)

Possible Unnamed Quinkana sp. (Possibly Q.fortirostrum) (Queensland Museum Specimen QM F57032)

(Note: Quinkana could have grown to between 10-20 feet in length)

 

Paludirex vincenti (Pliocene-Pleistocene 5.3-0.012 years ago)

(Note: Plaudirex species could grow up to 4 meters (13 feet) in length)

 

Paludirex gracilis (Pliocene-Pleistocene 5.3-0.012 years ago)

(Note: Plaudirex species could grow up to 4 meters (13 feet) in length)

 

Gunggamarandu manunala (Pliocene-Pleistocene 5-2 Million years ago)

(Note: Gunggamarandu manunala could have grown up to 7 meters (23 feet) in length)

 

 

Japan - Toyotamaphimeia machikanensis (Pleistocene 0.8-0.1 years ago)

(Note: Toyotamaphimeia machikanensis could have grown up to 7.7 meters (25 feet) in length)

 

 

Taiwan - Unnamed Toyotamaphimeia sp. (Pleistocene 0.8-0.1 years ago)

 

 

China - Hanyusuchus sinensis (Early-Late Holocene (up to the 1400s A.D. around 600 years ago))

(Note: Hanyusuchus sinensis could grow up to 6 meters (19 feet) in length)

 

 

Africa - Euthecodon brumpti (Pilocene-Early Pleistocene 3.5-0.781 Thousand years ago)

(Note: Euthecodon brumpti could grow up to 10 meters (33 feet) in length)

 

Crocodylus thorbjarnarsoni (Pliocene to Pleistocene 5.3-1.8 Million years ago)

(Note: Crocodylus thorbjarnarsoni could grow up to 7.6 meters (25 feet) in length)

 

Crocodylus anthropophagus (Pleistocene 1.845-1.839 Million years ago)

(Note: Crocodylus anthropophagus could grow up to 7.5 meters (25 feet) in length)

 

 

Madagascar - Voay robustus (Late Pleistocene-Holocene 0.1-0.01 years ago)

(Note: Voay robust could grow up to 5 meters (16.4 feet) in length)

 

 

Thailand - Gavialis bengawanicus (Early-Middle Pleistocene)

 

 

Indonesia - Gavialis bengawanicus (Early-Middle Pleistocene)

 

 

New Caleodonia - Mekosuchus inexpectatus (Holocene 0.012-0.004 years ago)

(Note: Mekosuchus species could grow up to 2 meters (6 feet) in length)

 

 

Fiji - Volia athollandersoni (Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene)

(Note: Volia athollandersoni could grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) in length)

 

 

Vanuatu - Mekosuchus kalpokasi (Holocene 0.012-0.003 years ago)

(Note: Mekosuchus species could grow up to 2 meters (6 feet) in length)

 

 

New Guinea - Murua gharial (Ikanogavialis papuensis) (Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene)

 

 

 

What do you guys think?