In the heart of Egypt’s Western Desert, paleontologists have made an exciting discovery that changes how we view crocodile evolution. They recently unveiled a new species named Wadisuchus kassabi, which lived around 80 million years ago.
This ancient crocodile belongs to the Dyrosauridae family, known for thriving in coastal waters. Unlike modern crocodiles, these creatures had long, narrow snouts and sharp teeth designed for catching slippery prey like fish. Their survival after the dinosaurs went extinct gives us key insights into how reptiles adapted to a dramatically changing world.
The name Wadisuchus kassabi comes from “Wadi,” which means valley in Arabic, reflecting the area where it was found, and “Suchus,” in honor of Sobek, the ancient Egyptian crocodile god. The species also pays tribute to Professor Ahmed Kassab from Assiut University, whose work in paleontology encourages new researchers.
Professor Hesham Sallam, one of the researchers involved, shared that the fossils were excavated near Kharga and Baris oases. These fossils include parts of skulls from four different individuals at various growth stages, which offers a rare glimpse into the development of dyrosaurids. He emphasized the importance of advanced techniques, like high-resolution CT scans, for revealing intricate anatomical details.
Lead author Sara Saber noted that Wadisuchus kassabi was about 3.5 to 4 meters long, with distinct features such as four front teeth and nostrils positioned on top of its snout, a trait useful for breathing while submerged. These characteristics indicate a gradual change in the dyrosaurid bite, signaling an important evolutionary step.
Interestingly, this discovery suggests that dyrosaurids may have originated in Africa much earlier than previously believed. This pushes back evidence for their diversification to an earlier time, possibly between 87 and 83 million years ago, rather than the later Maastrichtian period.
Belal Salem, a Ph.D. student involved in the research, remarked on the significance of Wadisuchus. He pointed out that Africa might very well be the birthplace of these unique crocodiles, from where they spread across other parts of the world. He also highlighted the need to protect fossil sites from urbanization and development so that future generations can uncover more of Egypt’s geological secrets.
This discovery resonates beyond paleontology. It reminds us of Egypt’s rich history and the importance of safeguarding its natural heritage. The ongoing research and findings about creatures like Wadisuchus kassabi could pave the way for future studies in evolutionary biology.
For more details on this study, you can explore the full article in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society here.
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