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Asilisaurus kongwe means “Ancient Ancestor.” As one of the first silesaurs, Asilisaurus is one of the oldest-known Avemetatarsalians (the clade which includes dinosaurs, silesaurs, and pterosaurs.) Found in the Manda Formation of Tanzania, it lived during the earliest portion of the Late Triassic. It appears to have been very common (or at least very prone to fossilization) as it is known from a relatively large amount of fossils.
Based on the length of its limbs, Asilisaurus was likely quadrupedal, but probably could have also reared up on its hind legs. It had no teeth in the tip of its snout, indicating the presence of a small beak, and also had fewer teeth than other silesaurs. Because of this, it is hypothesized that Asilisaurus was an omnivore or even a herbivore. The peglike shape of its teeth may have also lended to piscivory. As silesaurs seemed to have diets which were just as varied as dinosaurs (the Argentinian Lewisuchus was a specialized carnivore, the North American Kwanasaurus was an obligate herbivore, and the Polish Silesaurus was an insectivore and herbivore), Asilisaurus’ diet can’t be based on phylogenetic bracketing.
There seem to be two different adult morphologies of Asilisaurus: a “slender” form and a “robust” form. While traditionally regarded as a sign of sexual dimorphism, newer studies show that this could have simply been individual variation and a difference of growth in plentiful vs depleted environments (ie epigenetics), similar to differences seen in Plateosaurus and the modern Alligator.
In the Early Carnian of Tanzania, Asilisaurus kongwe would have lived alongside a variety of pseudosuchians such as Nundasuchus and Mambawakale, as well as the possible early dinosaur, Nyasasaurus. The environment was rich in synapsids as well, including dicynodonts like Angonisaurus, Kannemeyeria, and Tetragonias, and cynodonts like Cynognathus and Diademodon. Asilisaurus would have been preyed on by the aphanosaur Teleocrater and possibly some of the larger, carnivorous cynodonts, which is why I have given it spots for camouflage!
