Discover the 240 Million-Year-Old ‘Warrior’ Crocodile Ancestor from Pangaea: A Dinosaur-Like Marine Predator with Stunning Plated Armor

Researchers recently made an exciting discovery in Brazil: a giant “warrior” lizard from the Triassic period, about 240 million years ago, just before the dinosaurs took over the planet. This find sheds light on a crucial time in Earth’s history and strengthens the connection between Africa and South America.

The creature, named Tainrakuasuchus bellator, translates to “pointed-tooth warrior crocodile.” It looks a bit like a dinosaur but is actually a distant relative of modern crocodiles. The study detailing this discovery was published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology on November 13.

Lead author Rodrigo Temp Müller, a paleontologist at the Federal University of Santa Maria in Brazil, emphasized that finding this creature is vital for understanding life before the dinosaurs.

The Triassic period, spanning from 252 to 201 million years ago, was dominated by archosaurs, which are known as “ruling reptiles.” They branched into two main groups: one eventually led to birds and dinosaurs (Ornithosuchia), while the other led to crocodilians like T. bellator (Pseudosuchia).

Measurements show T. bellator was about 7.9 feet (2.4 meters) long and weighed around 130 pounds (60 kilograms). It featured a long neck and sharp teeth—characteristics that suggest it was an active predator. However, it wasn’t the largest hunter of its era; other species grew up to 23 feet long.

This reptile’s partial skeleton, including its lower jaw and backbone, was discovered during an excavation in May in Brazil. Its back was covered with bony plates, similar to modern crocodiles.

Despite its size, T. bellator is part of a group called poposauroids, which are rarely found in South America. This highlights a gap in our knowledge of their diversity and dominance during the Triassic. Müller pointed out that fossils related to these creatures are scarce, making this discovery even more significant.

Interestingly, T. bellator shares a close relation with another reptile found in Tanzania, Mandasuchus tanyauchen, discovered in 1933. Both creatures lived during a time when Africa and South America were connected as part of the supercontinent Pangea. Müller noted that this connection allowed animals to move freely between continents, creating many shared ecological traits.

In the broader context, the discovery of T. bellator reflects how paleontology continues to explore and fill in the blanks about our planet’s history. As we piece together these ancient stories, we gain a richer understanding of life on Earth and how it has evolved.

For a deeper dive into archosaurs and their importance, you can check more details from the University of California Museum of Paleontology.

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