| Bernissartia Temporal range: Early Cretaceous |
|
|---|---|
| Skeleton | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryotes |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Superorder: | Crocodylomorpha |
| (unranked): | Neosuchia |
| Family: | Bernissartiidae |
| Genus: | Bernissartia |
| Binomial name | |
| Bernissartia fagesii |
|
Bernissartia ('of Bernissart') is an extinct genus of crocodyliform that lived in the Early Cretaceous, around 130 million years ago.
At only 60 centimetres (2.0 ft) in length, Bernissartia is one of the smallest crocodyliforms that ever lived. It resembled modern species in many respects, and was probably semi-aquatic. It had long, pointed teeth at the front of the jaws that would have been of use in catching fish, but broad and flat teeth at the back of its jaws that were suited for crushing hard food, such as shellfish, and possibly bones.[1]
It is known primarily from skulls and skeletons found in modern day Belgium and Spain. Less complete material has been referred to Bernissartia from the United Kingdom and North America.