Phylogeny of the Erythrosuchidae (Reptilia: Archosauriformes)

The Erythrosuchidae are a late Early to early Middle Triassic lineage that represent the first radiation of large terrestrial carnivores within the Archosauriformes. Erythrosuchid monophyly can be established by their possession of a suite of seven shared derived characters. At least five valid genera of erythrosuchids can be recognized. The most plesimorphic of these is Fugusuchus from China, followed by Garjainia from Russia and Erythrosuchus from South Africa. Vjushkovia and Shansisuchus share a later common ancestry. Vjushkovia is represented by two species, V. triplicostata from Russia and V. sinensis from China. Shansisuchus, also from China, is the only erythrosuchid with two fenestrae in the antorbital region. Erythrosuchids had a nearly worldwide distribution, although individual species appear to have restricted geographical ranges. The greatest diversity is in Russia and China but this probably reflects the fact that the most complete continental sequences spanning the stratigraphic range of the erythrosuchids are known from those regions. Similarities between erythrosuchids and pseudosuchians such as Prestosuchus and Saurosuchus are the products of convergence, rather than a result of common descent.