Green River Formation Crocodylian Jaw Fossils

This is a grouping of jaw elements from a crocodiyian from the Eocene Bridger Formation of Sweetwater County, Wyoming. This one was found fragmented, but was easily reassembled as far as possible based upon the clean contacts between several pieces. The alveoli (tooth sockets) are quite easily seen, with one partial tooth still in its socket. The pattern to the jaw bone is a distinctive feature of crocodilyans. Interestingly enough, the Green River Formation has a higher percentage of alligators than crocodiles, making it an unusual Early Tertiary system.