A revision of "Desmatosuchus" by Parker (2008) found the lectotype of "Episcoposaurus haplocerus" to be referable to "Desmatosuchus" but indeterminate at the species level. Therefore, "E. haplocerus" was considered to be a "nomen dubium" and "D. spurensis" was named the type species of the genus. Two species were accepted as valid: "D. spurensis" and "D. smalli", named after Brian J. Small for his contribution to the study of this genus. "Desmatosuchus chamaensis" is recognized as a distinct genus, but there is some dispute about whether the name "Heliocanthus" or "Rioarribasuchus" applies.