A new species of ancient crocodile found in China
An international team of scientists has discovered the remains of a previously unknown species of prehistoric crocodiles in China. He lived 101 million years ago, according to Cretaceous Research.
The study involved researchers from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The new species was named Yanjisuchus longshanensis.
The fossils were found in Yanji City, Jilin Province in northeastern China. More than a hundred million years ago, this region was warm and humid, and it was home to numerous species of ancient animals.
Scientists noted that Yanjisuchus longshanensis is the third ancient crocodile species found in Jilin Province. He belonged to the family of Paralligatorids – extinct crocodylomorphs that lived in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
The new discovery will help to better understand the evolution of crocodilomorphs, as well as the origin of modern crocodiles. Earlier it was reported that the skull of an ancient crocodile unknown to science was found in Australia. The reptile reached 5 meters in length and weighed 450 kilograms.
