Forgotten Fossil Reveals 200-Million-Year-Old Croc Ancestor with Powerful Bite
A fossil initially discovered in 1948 at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, has been reexamined, revealing a new species named Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa. This fossil, previously misidentified and stored in a museum drawer, was found to belong to an early crocodylomorph with a powerful bite. Using advanced imaging technology, researchers reconstructed the skull, uncovering features that suggest a strong jaw capable of exerting significant force. This discovery, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, highlights the diversity and complexity of early crocodile relatives, suggesting they were more ecologically diverse than previously thought.