Geosaurus - Classification and Species

Classification and Species

Genera considered junior synonyms of Geosaurus include Brachytaenius and Halilimnosaurus . Numerous species had been assigned to this genus since the 19th Century. However, phylogenetic analyses begun in 2005 did not support the monophyly of Geosaurus. Although some traditional species, such as G. suevicus and G. araucanensis formed a natural group, Enaliosuchus is also within that group. This, as well as further study showing that traditional metriorhynchid genera were not grouped based on actual relationships, necessitated almost all traditional species being removed from Geosaurus and reclassified elsewhere, as well as several species previously placed in other genera to be reclassified as species of Geosaurus.

The species included below follow this revised classification, presented by Young and Andrade in 2009.