Bernissartia ('of Bernissart') is an extinct genus of neosuchian crocodyliform that lived in the Early Cretaceous, around 130 million years ago.

At only 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.

Bernissartia

It is known primarily from skulls and skeletons found in the Sainte-Barbe Clays Formation of Belgium and the Camarillas Formation of Spain. Less complete material has been referred to Bernissartia from the United Kingdom and North America.

Bernissartia

See also

Koumpiodontosuchus aprosdokiti

Smallest organisms

References

Neosuchians

Early Cretaceous crocodylomorphs of Europe

Cretaceous England

Fossils of Great Britain

Cretaceous Spain

Fossils of Spain

Camarillas Formation

La Huérguina Formation

Fossil taxa described in 1883

Taxa named by Louis Dollo

Prehistoric pseudosuchian genera

Bernissartia