Crocodile-like predator from before ‘dawn of the dinosaurs’ found in Brazil. See it
Before dinosaurs came to dominate every continent on the prehistoric planet, other reptiles lived for millions of years near the top of the food chain — and one such creature was recently discovered, researchers say.
Giant crocodile-like creatures roamed the earth during the Triassic Period, which started around 252 million years ago, establishing themselves as apex predators.
“Reptiles from the crocodilian lineage — pseudosuchia — ruled the land ecosystems before the dawn of the dinosaur age, achieving an impressive taxonomic and ecological diversity,” according to a June 20 study published in the journal Scientific Reports.
But while some rivaled the size of massive dinosaurs yet to come, others were a bit more unassuming — and only 3 feet long.
These smaller species of pseudosuchians were known for having “a relatively enlarged head with wide openings, carnivorous-like teeth, slender limbs, and a quadrupedal stance,” according to the study.
Researchers discovered one of these creatures in southern Brazil, and have now identified it as a new species.
Parvosuchus aurelioi, from the Greek words “parvus” meaning small and “suchus” meaning crocodile, was found at the Dinodontosaurus Assemblage Zone, researchers said.
The site runs next to a river, and a full skull with lower jaws, vertebrae, pelvis, and femurs, were found in the soil, according to the study. A left tibia, left fibula and left heel bone were also located at the site.
“Bearing a skull with a length of (5.6 inches), Parvosuchus aurelioi is estimated to have reached approximately (3 feet) in body length based on comparisons with other related pseudosuchians,” researchers said.
The skull was not well preserved, according to the study, but did show “elongated and blade-like teeth” suggesting the animal was a carnivore.
“Therefore, it represents the first small-sized predatory pseudosuchian from an environment dominated by huge archosaur predators,” according to the study.
It is also the first to be found in this area of Brazil, the researchers said.
The Dinodontosaurus Assemblage Zone is located in Paraíso do Sul and Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in the southern tip of the country.
This story was originally published June 24, 2024 at 1:31 PM with the headline "Crocodile-like predator from before ‘dawn of the dinosaurs’ found in Brazil. See it."
