Desmatosuchus

Desmatosuchus (meaning "link crocodile") is an extinct genus of archosaur belonging to the Order Aetosauria. It was one of the largest aetosaurs, being 5 metres (16 ft) long and about 1.50 m (5 ft) high. It lived during the Late Triassic in Texas.

Desmatosuchus looked like its relatives, possessing an armored body and pig-like head. It had a shovel-like snout and weak teeth that suggest it lived by uprooting soft plants. Like many of its relatives, it had heavy armoured plates along its back, tail, and parts of the underside. However, unlike most other aetosaurs, Desmatosuchus also had two rows of spikes along the sides of its back. The largest spikes, above the shoulders, were 45 centimetres (18 in) long. These probably gave it extra protection against predators.

Two species are currently accepted: D. spurensis and D. smalli. Desmatosuchus chamaensis is recognized as a distinct genus, but there is some dispute about whether the name Heliocanthus or Rioarribasuchus applies .