Photo: Hesham Sallam/Mansoura University Vertebrate Paleontology Center
Paleontologists in Egypt have discovered a previously unknown species of fossil crocodile that lived roughly 80 million years ago, challenging current understanding of crocodile evolution, reports SciTechDaily.
The fossils were unearthed in Egypt’s Western Desert, where layers of red sandstone and green shale emerge from the dry plains of the Kharga Oasis. The new species, named Wadisuchus kassabi, is the earliest known member of the Dyrosauridae family, an ancient group of crocodiles distinct from modern species.
Dyrosaurids lived in coastal and marine environments rather than freshwater habitats. They had long, narrow snouts and slender, sharp teeth, adapted for catching slippery prey like fish and turtles. Their survival and relative abundance after the mass extinction that ended the age of dinosaurs highlight how reptiles adapted to changing ecosystems.
The name Wadisuchus kassabi reflects both the geography and cultural heritage of Egypt. “Wadi” (Arabic for “valley”) refers to the New Valley region where the fossils were found, while Suchus honors Sobek, the crocodile god. The species name also pays tribute to Professor Ahmed Kassab of Assiut University, whose contributions to Egyptian paleontology have inspired future generations of researchers.
“Wadisuchus kassabi fossils were found near the Kharga and Baris oases in the Western Desert of Egypt. They include two partial skulls and two snout tips from four individuals at different growth stages, providing a unique opportunity to study dyrosaurid development,” said lead author Hesham Sallam, an Egyptian vertebrate paleontologist at Mansoura University.
