A newly identified crocodilian, about 215 million years old, was discovered in Gloucester, England, and was revealed to be a fast-moving land-dwelling predator.
- This animal resembled the reptilian greyhound and had a slender physique suited for speed.
- was named Galahadsuchus jonesii In tribute to schoolteacher David Rhys-Jones
Close relative of land-dwelling crocodile discovered in Triassic Britain
Scientists have identified a new species of early Triassic crocodile relative in Gloucester, England. Unlike modern crocodiles, this animal lived entirely on land and had a body built for speed. With long, slender legs and a lightweight body, they moved quickly through vegetation and likely hunted small reptiles, amphibians, and early mammals. At that time, the region was a highland landscape surrounded by hot, dry plains.
The species name is a combination of homage to Arthurian legend and personal homage. The first part mentions Galahad, a knight known for his virtuous and noble character, which reflects the upright posture of an animal. The second part is a tribute to David Rhys-Jones, a teacher at Ysgol Uhclad Averteifi School in Cardigan, Wales, who taught the first author of this study.
“I named it after my middle school physics teacher,” says Euan Bodenham, a PhD student at the Natural History Museum and UCL and lead author of the new paper.
“Mr. Jones was a really good teacher. Not only could he explain things well, but I could see that he was genuinely interested in science. I think that was a big inspiration for me.”
“He also kept me calm. He was very good at challenging people and helping students do their best. Above all, he was very funny, sincere, and a nice person.”
Fossils from ancient cave deposits
The fossil remains were recovered from fissure deposits on both sides of the Bristol Channel in southern Wales and southwestern England. These deposits formed when animals that died on the surface were washed into underground cavities and were eventually buried by sediment.
Among the fossils discovered in these deposits was Terrestriscus, another early member of the Crocodylomorpha group, which includes modern crocodiles. This ancient relative, like the newly identified species, had long, slender legs and lived entirely on land rather than in water.
Identification of new species
“My PhD project examines the evolutionary relationships of these early crocodiles,” Yuan explains.
“So we performed a detailed anatomical description of this specimen and compared it to other early crocodilians to determine whether it was another Terrestriscus specimen or something new.”
After closely analyzing the fossils, researchers identified 13 distinct differences. These differences were sufficient to confirm that the specimen was a completely new species.
Insights into pre-extinction ecosystems
This discovery adds to the list of species known from the region since the Late Triassic. It will also help scientists better understand the ecosystems that existed just before the Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction, a large-scale event associated with increased volcanic activity and climate change.
By studying which species lived before this extinction and how they responded to changes in their environment, researchers can gain insight into how life adapts during times of cataclysm.
research publications
The new species was formally described in a paper published in the same journal, “A second species with a non-crocodile morphology from Late Triassic fissure deposits in south-west England: Implications for the kinematic ecological diversity of Saltopostidae.” anatomical record.
