The year 2017 in archosaur paleontology was eventful. Archosaurs include the only living dinosaur group — birds — and the reptile crocodilians, plus all extinct dinosaurs, extinct crocodilian relatives, and pterosaurs. Archosaur palaeontology is the scientific study of those animals, especially as they existed before the Holocene Epoch began about 11,700 years ago. The year 2017 in paleontology included various significant developments regarding archosaurs.
This article records new taxa of fossil archosaurs of every kind that have been described during the year 2017, as well as other significant discoveries and events related to paleontology of archosaurs that occurred in the year 2017.
General research A study on the evolution of forelimb anatomy, musculature and joint ranges of motion from early archosaurs to sauropodomorph dinosaurs based on data from Mussaurus patagonicus and extant freshwater crocodile is published by Otero et al. (2017).
Pseudosuchians
Research A study on the evolutionary history and ecological correlates of bone ornamentation in extant and extinct pseudosuchians is published by Clarac et al. (2017). A redescription of the anatomy of the postcranial skeleton of Gracilisuchus stipanicicorum and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Lecuona, Desojo & Pol (2017). Description of partial ribs from the Late Triassic Vinita Formation (formerly Turkey Branch Formation; Virginia, United States), referred to Euscolosuchus olseni, is published by Scheyer & Sues (2017). A study on the phylogenetic relationships of Luperosuchus fractus is published by Nesbitt & Desojo (2017). A study on the bone histology and growth of Batrachotomus kupferzellensis is published by Klein, Foth & Schoch (2017). Crocodylomorph eggs and eggshells are described from the Late Jurassic Lourinhã Formation (Portugal) by Russo et al. (2017), who name new ootaxa Suchoolithus portucalensis and Krokolithes dinophilus. Tracks of a crocodyliform representing the ichnofamily Batrachopodidae are described from the Early Cretaceous (late Aptian) Calonda Formation (Angola) by Mateus et al. (2017), who name a new ichnotaxon Angolaichnus adamanticus. A description of a braincase assigned to Macelognathus vagans recovered from the Fruita Paleontological Area (Colorado, United States) and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Leardi, Pol & Clark (2017). A study on the changes in morphological diversity of the skulls of extinct and extant crocodyliforms through time is published by Wilberg (2017). A study on the impact of sea level variations and sea surface temperatures on the evolution of marine crocodylomorphs published by Martin et al. (2014) is re-evaluated by Jouve et al. (2017) on the basis of an updated dataset. Razanandrongobe sakalavae from the Middle Jurassic of Madagascar is interpreted as a member of Notosuchia by Dal Sasso et al. (2017). A description of the anatomy of the postcranial skeleton of Campinasuchus dinizi based on five specimens is published by Cotts et al. (2017). A study on the anatomy of the pectoral girdle and forelimb bones of Montealtosuchus arrudacamposi, as well as its implications for the locomotion habits of the animal, is published by Tavares et al. (2017). Postcranial remains of a goniopholidid, interpreted as remains of the second fossil specimen referable to Dakotasuchus kingi, are described from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Cedar Mountain Formation (Utah, United States) by Frederickson et al. (2017). Virtual cranial endocast of Pelagosaurus typus is reconstructed by Pierce, Williams & Benson (2017). A study on the mode of reproduction of metriorhynchids is published by Herrera et al. (2017). New fossils of a member of the dyrosaurid genus Guarinisuchus are described from the Paleocene Maria Farinha Formation (Brazil) by Sena et al. (2017). A study on the bone histology in the femora of two specimens attributed to Iberosuchus macrodon and its implications for the growth rate and resting metabolic rate in the species is published by Cubo, Köhler & de Buffrenil (2017). A specimen of a neosuchian crocodylomorph (probably a member of the genus Susisuchus) with extensively preserved epidermis and limb musculature is described from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) Crato Formation (Brazil) by Field & Martill (2017). An isolated mandible of a neosuchian possibly belonging or related to the family Hylaeochampsidae is described from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Duntulm Formation (Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom) by Yi et al. (2017). Revision of the fragmentary eusuchian fossils from the Late Cretaceous of Western Europe, previously attributed to members of the species Allodaposuchus precedens, is published by Narváez et al. (2017). A study of the bone histology of a humerus of a eusuchian crocodyliform (possibly a member of the genus Acynodon) from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Laño quarry (northern Spain) and its implications for the skeletal growth pattern of the animal is published by Company & Pereda-Suberbiola (2017). A study comparing skull shape and inferring dietary preferences of crocodylians known from the Eocene Geiseltal-Fossillagerstätte (Germany), representing genera Diplocynodon, Asiatosuchus, Boverisuchus and Allognathosuchus, is published by Hastings & Hellmund (2017). A study on the anatomy of the braincase of Gryposuchus neogaeus is published by Bona, Carabajal & Gasparini (2017). A revision of the fossil material attributed to the Miocene caiman species Melanosuchus fisheri is published by Bona et al. (2017). New fossils of Baru wickeni and Baru darrowi are described from the Oligocene and Miocene of Australia by Yates (2017). A study on the evolution of locomotion of mekosuchines based on pectoral and pelvic girdles of mekosuchines recovered from the Eocene to Miocene sites in Australia is published by Stein et al. (2017). A review of the taxonomic diversity of the crocodiles from the early Pliocene of Kanapoi (Kenya) is published online by Brochu (2017).
New taxa Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes ImagesCassissuchusGen. et sp. novValidBuscalioniEarly Cretaceous (Barremian)Calizas de La Huérgina FormationA member of the family Gobiosuchidae. The type species is C. sanziuami.Coahomasuchus chathamensisSp. novValidHeckert, Fraser & SchneiderLate TriassicPekin Formation()An aetosaur.DeltasuchusGen. et sp. novValidAdams, Noto & DrumhellerLate Cretaceous (Cenomanian)Woodbine Formation()A neosuchian crocodylomorph related to Paluxysuchus newmani. The type species is D. motherali.IeldraanGen. et sp. novValidFoffa et al.Middle Jurassic (Callovian)Oxford Clay FormationA member of the family Metriorhynchidae. Genus includes new species I. melkshamensis.KnoetschkesuchusGen. et sp. et comb. novValidSchwarz, Raddatz & WingsLate Jurassic (Kimmeridgian)Camadas de Guimarota Süntel FormationA member of Atoposauridae. The type species is K. langenbergensis; genus also includes "Theriosuchus" guimarotae Schwarz & Salisbury (2005).LemmysuchusGen. et comb. novValidJohnson et al.Middle Jurassic (Callovian)Oxford ClayA member of the family Teleosauridae; a new genus for "Steneosaurus" obtusidens Andrews (1909).MaomingosuchusGen. et comb. novValidShan et al.EoceneYouganwo FormationA new genus for "Tomistoma" petrolica Yeh (1958).Mourasuchus pattersoniSp. novValidCidade et al.Late MioceneUrumaco FormationA caiman.TurcosuchusGen. et sp. novValidJouve et al.Early Cretaceous (Barremian)İncigez FormationA member of Crocodyliformes belonging to the family Hylaeochampsidae. The type species is T. okani.
Non-avian dinosaurs
Research Studies on the phylogenetic relationships of the dinosaurs are published by Baron, Norman & Barrett (2017) and Parry, Baron & Vinther (2017), recovering sister-group relationship between Ornithischia and Theropoda; the study of Baron, Norman & Barrett (2017) is subsequently reexamined by Langer et al. (2017). An investigation into common approaches used to identify sexual dimorphism in the fossil record is published by Mallon (2017), who argues that the available evidence precludes the detection of sexual dimorphism in non-avian dinosaurs. A study on the possible reasons why sexual dimorphism is rarely detected in non-avian dinosaurs, indicated by body-size data from the American alligator and the greater rhea, is published by Hone & Mallon (2017). A study on the impact of large herbivorous dinosaurs on global nutrient availability in the Cretaceous as indicated by remnant plant material (coal deposits) is published by Doughty (2017). A study on changes in morphological and biomechanical diversity of the mandibles of herbivorous dinosaurs through time, as well as its implications for the relationship between jaw shape, function, and ecological evolutionary drivers in the evolution of herbivorous dinosaurs, is published by MacLaren et al. (2017). A study on the anatomical diversity of the jugal bone in dinosaurs and its evolution is published by Sullivan & Xu (2017). A study on a diverse dinosaur ichnofauna from the Lower Cretaceous Broome Sandstone (Australia), including descriptions of six new ichnospecies, is published by Salisbury et al. (2017). Theropod tracks and potential heterodontosaurid tracks are described from the Lower Jurassic Elliot Formation (Lesotho) by Abrahams et al. (2017). Dinosaur footprints are reported from the Cretaceous Stanley Pool Formation (Gabon) by M'Voubou, Moussavou & Ligna (2017). Dinosaur trackways are reported from the Cretaceous (probably Cenomanian-Turonian) Mamfe Basin (Cameroon) by Martin et al. (2017). A re-evaluation of the purported Triassic dinosaur fossils from Poland discovered prior to the description of Silesaurus opolensis is published by Skawiński et al. (2017), who interpret Velocipes guerichi as a theropod dinosaur. A study evaluating whether reported set of unique collagen peptides of Tyrannosaurus rex and Brachylophosaurus canadensis could reflect cross-sample contamination from the modern reference material used is published by Buckley et al. (2017). A study on the relationship between step width and speed (stride length) in Late Triassic theropod trackways, its implications for non-avian theropod locomotion and for how it compared to bird and human locomotion is published by Bishop et al. (2017). A description and a study on the phylogenetic affinities of the theropod fossils recovered from the Early Cretaceous (Berriasian–Valanginian) Bajada Colorada Formation (Argentina) is published by Canale et al. (2017). Tracks of a giant theropod dinosaur are described from the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) Reuchenette Formation (Switzerland) by Marty et al. (2017), who name a new ichnotaxon Jurabrontes curtedulensis. Tracks of a large theropod dinosaur are described from the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) Reuchenette Formation (Switzerland) by Razzolini et al. (2017), who name a new ichnotaxon Megalosauripus transjuranicus. Tracks produced by large theropod dinosaurs (estimated body length >8–9 meters) are described from the Lower Jurassic upper Elliot Formation (Lesotho) by Sciscio et al. (2017), who name a new ichnotaxon Kayentapus ambrokholohali. Description of large dinosaur tracks (previously interpreted as ornithopod tracks) from the Cretaceous (Campanian) Cerro del Pueblo Formation (Coahuila, Mexico) is published by Rivera-Sylva et al. (2017), who reinterpret the tracks as produced by tetanuran (possibly tyrannosaurid) theropods, and consider the tracks to be likely evidence of a gregarious behaviour of the trackmakers. A study on the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the Late Jurassic theropod dinosaurs known from the isolated teeth recovered from the Lusitanian Basin (Portugal) is published by Malafaia et al. (2017).