Simosuchus
/ˌsaɪ.moʊˈsuː.kəs/noun
Simosuchus is an extinct genus of small, blunt-snouted crocodyliforms that lived in Madagascar during the Late Cretaceous.
Did you know?Its second root, suchus, comes through Greek from the crocodile-associated Egyptian deity Sobek, linking this fossil’s scientific name to ancient crocodile worship.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Egyptian
Egyptian
Sobek
“Crocodile deity associated with fertility, power, and the Nile”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Sō̂khos
“The Greek form of Sobek; also used for a crocodile”
Ancient Greek
Greek
sīmos
“Snub-nosed or having a turned-up, flattened nose”
Ancient Greek
Greek
krokódeilos
“Crocodile; literally associated with a “pebble-worm” or lizard-like creature”
2000
Scientific Latin
Simosuchus
“A genus name combining Greek simos, “snub-nosed,” with suchus, “crocodile””
Modern English
English
Simosuchus
“An extinct Malagasy crocodyliform genus, commonly known as a small, blunt-snouted crocodile relative”
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