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A new species of Araripesuchus present in the Maevarano Formation of Madagascar is described. The taxon is known from at least five individuals, including a nearly complete animal, three partial skulls and associated post-cranial remains, as well as disarticulated post-cranial elements. This large sample, coupled with CT-scans, allows a detailed description of its morphology. The new form shares a number of derived characters with Araripesuchus gomesii and Araripesuchus patagonicus, but is distinguished from them by the presence of four autapomorphies. Additionally, the new form lacks a number of derived features present in A. gomesii and A. patagonicus.

Phylogenetic relationships of Araripesuchus are evaluated using a parsimony analysis including 29 mesoeucrocodylian taxa. In all of the most parsimonious trees the new taxon is recovered as sister group to A. gomesii+A. patagonicus. Araripesuchus is …