Uberabasuchus terrificus Carvalho, Ribeiro & Avilla, 2004 is a Crocodyliformes Peirosauridae from of the Serra da Galga Member – Marília Formation (Maastrichtian-Campanian) of Bauru Basin. The holotype of Uberabasuchus is remarkable for the preservation and articulation of its cranial and post-cranial elements. The preservation of Uberabasuchus specimen differs from the other fossils found at the same outcrop where it was discovered. This fact allows inferring a taphonomic history of Uberabasuchus distinct from the assembly of the same locality. It is observed in extant Crocodyliformes a burrowing behavior near water bodies, followed by a voluntary burial, as a reaction to stressed environmental conditions, as droughts or extreme temperatures. The preferential preservation of Crocodyliformes could result from their ability to build habitations and being (voluntarily) buried before death. The presented data indicates this potential ethological component in the taphonomic history of Uberabasuchus terrificus.
Author Biography
Ismar de Souza Carvalho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro,
