Scientists Discover Toothless Croc Ancestor that Walked Like Ostrich
Researchers say the Witch Croc had a toothless beak and walked on two legs, highlighting unusual body plans at the dawn of the dinosaur age.
- American scientists discovered a bipedal crocodile ancestor at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, dubbed the 'Witch Croc,' showing the 'weirdness' of life around 250 million years ago with an ostrich-like body and no teeth.
- During the Triassic period, animals diversified into forms resembling modern lifestyles but nested in groups taking divergent paths; study lead author Alan Turner of Stony Brook University called shuvosaurs great examples of convergent evolution.
- Ghost Ranch continues producing 'exquisitely produced' fossils from the epoch across decades of excavations; the genus name Labrujasuchus references the Spanish 'Ranchos de los Brujos' and Greek 'suchus' meaning crocodile.
- Joanne Lefrak, Director of Experience and Social Impact at Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center, noted this summer marks the 20th anniversary of excavations, with research details published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.
- Lead author Dr. Rodrigo Temp Müller noted the discovery illuminates a key moment preceding dinosaurs' rise, while the fossil connects Brazil and Africa through Triassic Pangaea, with Pseudosuchia occupying ecological niches 240 million years ago.
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A fierce crocodile ancestor that hunted before dinosaurs has been found
Scientists have identified a new crocodile precursor that looked deceptively dinosaur-like and hunted with speed and precision. Named Tainrakuasuchus bellator, the armored “warrior” lived 240 million years ago and occupied a powerful niche in the Triassic food chain. Its fossils reveal deep evolutionary links between South America and Africa. The find sheds light on a vibrant ecosystem that existed just before dinosaurs emerged.
More than 200 million years ago, a two-legged, toothless crocodile roamed through New Mexico. Now his fossil reveals how experimental evolution was in the TriassicMore than 200 million years ago, a two-legged, toothless crocodile roamed through New Mexico. Now his fossil reveals how experimental evolution in the Triassic was
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