Unusual 'Witch Croc' Resembling a Dinosaur Unearthed in New Mexico
Paleontologists have made an extraordinary finding, uncovering a unique, toothless, bipedal creature related to crocodiles from the Triassic Period. This creature, dubbed the 'witch croc', was discovered in New Mexico, USA. This fascinating creature bears an uncanny resemblance to a group of bipedal dinosaurs known as ornithomimosaurs, despite its lineage tracing back to crocodiles.
Meet Labrujasuchus Expectatus: The Witch Croc
The scientific name given to this creature is Labrujasuchus expectatus, which is derived from the old Spanish term for Ghost Ranch, ‘Ranchos de los Brujos’ – the location where the remains of this creature were discovered. The creature walked on two legs and had a toothless beak, much like the ornithomimosaurs of the Cretaceous period.
However, the resemblance between the Witch Croc and later dinosaurs is merely superficial. The Witch Croc belongs to the branch of archosaurs leading to crocodiles. These semi-aquatic, four-legged animals with full-toothed jaws bear little resemblance to their distant relative. However, the Witch Croc does share similarities with other crocodile-line archosaurs from the Triassic period.
Shuvosaurs: The Bipedal Archosaurs
Shuvosaurs were a group of beaked, bipedal archosaurs that dominated the Southern US during the Late Triassic, around 235 to 201 million years ago. The Witch Croc is a member of this group of dinosaur lookalikes. This group highlights how reptiles of that era – both crocodile relatives and dinosaurs – experimented with similar body structures.
The concept of bipedalism may seem like an unusual path for crocodile relatives, but it was a common trait among dinosaurs and later birds. This strategy proved successful for these creatures, which first appeared during the Triassic period.
A Link in the Evolutionary Chain
Labrujasuchus expectatus is only the fifth species of shuvosaur to be identified, however it fills a critical gap between two previously discovered shuvosaurs from the region. This creature was an expected evolutionary link, hence its species name ‘expectatus’. Despite this anticipation, the discovery of its remains is still a significant find.
This discovery underscores the importance of the fossil record in understanding evolutionary history. The existence of one shuvosaur from earlier in the Triassic and one from later indicated to paleontologists that additional species from the same era were likely waiting to be discovered and described.
Ghost Ranch: A Treasure Trove of Fossils
The Witch Croc was discovered at Ghost Ranch, a 21,000-acre site in north central New Mexico. This site has been a favorite for paleontologists since the late 19th century, when fossils were first discovered there. Ghost Ranch was also the location where Edwin H. Colbret, a renowned paleontologist, documented the discovery of over a thousand well-preserved skeletons of a small Triassic dinosaur known as Coelophysis in 1947.
In addition to being a hotspot for paleontological discoveries, Ghost Ranch has also attracted filmmakers, serving as the backdrop for major films, including two winners of Best Picture.
The World of Dinosaurs: A Never-Ending Source of Discovery
The discovery of the Witch Croc is yet another testament to the fascinating world of dinosaurs and their relatives. It highlights the extraordinary diversity and adaptability of these ancient creatures, continually intriguing scientists and enthusiasts alike with their unexpected forms and behaviors.
Paleontologists have made an extraordinary finding, uncovering a unique, toothless, bipedal creature related to crocodiles from the Triassic Period. This creature, dubbed the 'witch croc', was discovered in New Mexico, USA. This fascinating creature bears an uncanny resemblance to a group of bipedal dinosaurs known as ornithomimosaurs, despite its lineage tracing back to crocodiles.
Meet Labrujasuchus Expectatus: The Witch Croc
The scientific name given to this creature is Labrujasuchus expectatus, which is derived from the old Spanish term for Ghost Ranch, ‘Ranchos de los Brujos’ – the location where the remains of this creature were discovered. The creature walked on two legs and had a toothless beak, much like the ornithomimosaurs of the Cretaceous period.
However, the resemblance between the Witch Croc and later dinosaurs is merely superficial. The Witch Croc belongs to the branch of archosaurs leading to crocodiles. These semi-aquatic, four-legged animals with full-toothed jaws bear little resemblance to their distant relative. However, the Witch Croc does share similarities with other crocodile-line archosaurs from the Triassic period.
Shuvosaurs: The Bipedal Archosaurs
Shuvosaurs were a group of beaked, bipedal archosaurs that dominated the Southern US during the Late Triassic, around 235 to 201 million years ago. The Witch Croc is a member of this group of dinosaur lookalikes. This group highlights how reptiles of that era – both crocodile relatives and dinosaurs – experimented with similar body structures.
The concept of bipedalism may seem like an unusual path for crocodile relatives, but it was a common trait among dinosaurs and later birds. This strategy proved successful for these creatures, which first appeared during the Triassic period.
A Link in the Evolutionary Chain
Labrujasuchus expectatus is only the fifth species of shuvosaur to be identified, however it fills a critical gap between two previously discovered shuvosaurs from the region. This creature was an expected evolutionary link, hence its species name ‘expectatus’. Despite this anticipation, the discovery of its remains is still a significant find.
This discovery underscores the importance of the fossil record in understanding evolutionary history. The existence of one shuvosaur from earlier in the Triassic and one from later indicated to paleontologists that additional species from the same era were likely waiting to be discovered and described.
Ghost Ranch: A Treasure Trove of Fossils
The Witch Croc was discovered at Ghost Ranch, a 21,000-acre site in north central New Mexico. This site has been a favorite for paleontologists since the late 19th century, when fossils were first discovered there. Ghost Ranch was also the location where Edwin H. Colbret, a renowned paleontologist, documented the discovery of over a thousand well-preserved skeletons of a small Triassic dinosaur known as Coelophysis in 1947.
In addition to being a hotspot for paleontological discoveries, Ghost Ranch has also attracted filmmakers, serving as the backdrop for major films, including two winners of Best Picture.
The World of Dinosaurs: A Never-Ending Source of Discovery
The discovery of the Witch Croc is yet another testament to the fascinating world of dinosaurs and their relatives. It highlights the extraordinary diversity and adaptability of these ancient creatures, continually intriguing scientists and enthusiasts alike with their unexpected forms and behaviors.