BUCKLEY, Gregory A., ETSUC, Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL 60605; BROCHU, Christopher A., Dept. of Geoscience, Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242.

Mahajangasuchus insignis (?Trematochampsidae, Crocodyliformes) is currently known only from the Upper Cretaceous Maevarano Formation in the Mahajanga Basin of northwest Madagascar, and was described and diagnosed on the basis of a mandible and nearly complete postcranial skeleton. Diagnostic features of the species included a broad snout (inferred from the morphology of the mandible) as well as an extremely short mandibular symphysis, resulting in a nettosuchid-like appearance.

A nearly complete, largely disarticulated skull and mandible of Mahajangasuchus insignis was discovered in 1999 at the same locality that yielded the holotype. The new material is significantly larger than the holotype and undoubtedly represents a second individual. Referral to M. insignis is based upon the large size of the specimen, the breadth of the snout, and the broad, rounded nature of the premaxillae that corresponds to the condition previously observed in the mandible. The material is exquisitely preserved with the exception of the palatal region. Their dorsal surfaces are highly sculpted, the reconstructed skull itself is tall and broad, a small antorbital fenestra is present, the orbits are large and dorsoventrally positioned and the external nares are situated dorsally.

A reassessment of the phylogenetic relationship of Mahajangasuchus to other metasuchian crocodyliforms is made employing the morphological characters obtained from the new material.

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