Fossilized skulls found in Kenya have finally revealed their secrets. They belonged to a completely new species of crocodile that lived during the early and middle Miocene and happily threatened our ancestors.
Scientists have named the new species of crocodiles Kinyang mabokensis and Kinyang tcherni. They lived 18 million to 15 million years ago in East Africa. They were close relatives of today’s dwarf species, currently found in central and western Africa.
But their great-great-grandfathers were certainly not small. They reached lengths of up to four meters and were probably among the most aggressive predators of their time. “They were just as opportunistic as crocodiles are today,” says study author Christopher Brochu, a professor in Iowa’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. “For our ancestors, it was sheer stupidity to head to the river and relax.”
Dwarf crocodile
The newly discovered species of crocodiles had short snouts, their nostrils pointed forward, and they boasted large conical teeth. They spent most of their time on dry land in forests rather than in water. They ambushed their prey. “At first glance, they looked like they were smiling, but if you gave them a chance, they would bite your face off,” says Brochu.
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The Kinyangs lived in the areas of present-day Kenya, at a time when it was covered with forests. Beginning with the Miocene period 15 million years ago, which was about 9 °C warmer than the previous one, both species appear to have gone extinct.
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“Climate change has led to less rainfall. Forests thus began to give way to pastures and savannahs. The loss of the natural environment was borne heavily by the giant dwarf crocodiles,” explains the scientist, who has been studying prehistoric and modern crocodiles for more than three decades.
Kinyangové
Christopher Brochu admits that he still has no idea when exactly the Kinyang extinction occurred and what caused it 100%. “However, our ancestors, who were experiencing a period of development at that time, had to be relieved,” laughs the expert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFK5RndpyMs
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Source: Youtube
The area around Lake Turkana and Lake Victoria, where the crocodile fossils were found, is also important from a paleontological point of view. Bone fragments of the genus Homo have even been discovered in close proximity to crocodiles. Scientists hypothesize that they may be related. However, further research will be required.
Source:
www.nature.com, www.anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com, www.sciencedaily.com
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