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A new terrestrial crocodile from the Cretaceous of Texas

Started by Logo7, July 19, 2019, 01:16:05 PM

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Logo7

July 19, 2019, 01:16:05 PM
A new genus of terrestrial crocodile has been described from Early Cretaceous (Aptian) age remains from the Proctor Lake dinosaur locality in the Twin Mountains Formation of Texas, the same formation that produced the remains of the new hypsilophodontid genus Convolosaurus marri earlier this year. The new genus has been given the name Tarsomordeo winkleri ("Winkler's ankle biter") with the genus name originating from the Latin words "tarseo," meaning "ankle," and "mordeo," meaning "biter," in reference to its small size, and the species name originating from Dr. Dale Winkler, a paleontologist who has greatly contributed to the studies of paleontology and geology in Texas. The limb morphology of this new genus suggests that it had a terrestrial lifestyle, possibly allowing it to fill the ecological niche of an active predator of small dinosaurs and other small prey. The paper suggests that this new genus is the first example of a Cretaceous terrestrial crocodile to be discovered in North America, suggesting that there was an ecological shift back to the land during this period, likely due to environmental factors. Here is a reconstruction of the new genus attacking a Convolosaurus by paleoartist Pamela Riddle and a link to the paper describing it.



Paper (abstract only): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2019.1623226?journalCode=ujvp20&

Halichoeres

#1
July 19, 2019, 04:57:32 PM
Tarsomordeo has a nice ring, I like it. Thanks for posting!
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Jose S.M.

#2
July 19, 2019, 06:17:20 PM Last Edit: July 19, 2019, 06:18:24 PM by Jose S.M.
Great discovery, I really like terrestrial crocodiles, I wish they had better representation in toy form.

Neosodon

#3
July 19, 2019, 06:56:50 PM
Terrestrial crocodiles would be cool but terrifying to see. Are there any crocodiles that have a more terrestrial life style around today?

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Logo7

#4
July 19, 2019, 07:47:41 PM
Quote from: Neosodon on July 19, 2019, 06:56:50 PM
Terrestrial crocodiles would be cool but terrifying to see. Are there any crocodiles that have a more terrestrial life style around today?
The closest we have in the modern day are freshwater crocodiles, which enter the water by galloping in a similar manner to that of a terrestrial crocodile.

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