Scientists unveil prehistoric crocodile

[slowhand]

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Pointy-nosed crocodiles may have joined sharks as the dominant predators in the world's oceans some 62 million years ago, according to Brazilian scientists who on Wednesday unveiled one of the most complete skeletons found yet of the prehistoric animals.


Scientists called it a new species, "Guarinisuchus munizi," and said it sheds new light on the evolutionary history of modern crocodiles.

The fossil includes a skull, jaw bone and vertebrae, making it one of the most complete examples of marine crocodylomorphs collected so far in South America, said Alexander Kellner of the National Museum of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He and other scientists unveiled fossils and a model of the 10-foot-long crocodile at the museum.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080327/ap_on_sc/brazil_sea_crocodile;_ylt=Am6Yy2NBmBnzD7JV.DMlo3UPLBIF

 

[senob44]

Sometimes I think those pointy-nosed ones look even scarier than the broad-nosed types. :eek:

 

[drew84]

I find it amazing that new species are being discovered still. Makes you wonder just how many species that were here before us.