Mystriosuchus (SciiFii)

Mystriosuchus modernus is a species of phytosaur that originally lived in the Late Triassic (middle Norian) in what is now Europe, as several extinct species of Mystriosuchus, and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced throughout the modern temperate and subtropical rainforests, wetlands, lakes, and rivers across the Azores archipelago to help boost biodiversity. Mystriosuchus modernus is a rather large reptile, measuring about 4 meters (13 feet) long and weighing up to 453 kg (999 lb) on average. Despite its appearance and lifestyle similar to crocodilians, it is not a crocodilian and is only distantly related to crocodilians. There are several differences in anatomy between phytosaurs, such as Mystriosuchus modernus, and crocodilians, including the fact that the phytosaur ankle structure is much more primitive than that of any crocodilians and, most notably, phytosaurs have nostrils placed near or above the level of the eyes, in contrast to crocodilians where the nostrils are near the end of the snout. Mystriosuchus modernus is more adapted to aquatic life than other known phytosaurs, possessing shorter and more paddle-like limbs as well as just two type of osteoderms as opposed to the higher diversity of other phytosaurs. Mystriosuchus modernus is a carnivore with a primarily fish-eating and mollusk-eating diet, having long jaws with needle-like teeth for catching slippery fish and soft mollusks, similar to those of the Asian gharials. The conservation status of Mystriosuchus modernus is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the animal's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii