Prehistoric Crocodile Species Discovered in Western Desert

A research team at Mansoura University’s Vertebrate Paleontology Center (MUVP), led by Hesham Sallam, has unveiled a new species of ancient crocodile, Wadisuchus kassabi, which lived approximately 80 million years ago in what is now Egypt’s Western Desert. The fossil material indicates the species is the earliest known member of the extinct family Dyrosauridae, known for its marine-adapted reptiles. The crocodile measured between 3.5 and 4 metres in length. Unlike modern crocodiles that live in rivers and swamps, this species lived along coasts and in shallow seas. Distinctive anatomical features set Wadisuchus kassabi apart: it had a long narrow snout, sharp teeth built for seizing fish and turtles, nostrils positioned on top of the snout for surface breathing, and a front tooth count of four instead of five. The remains were recovered from the Kharga and Baris oases and included parts of skulls and snouts from four individuals of different ages, giving researchers comparative material across growth stages. The research team used 3D CT scanning to reveal fine anatomical details not previously seen, providing a clearer view of the internal structure of these marine reptiles. The discovery is significant in recalibrating the geographical and temporal origins of Dyrosauridae. The evidence strongly supports a North African origin for the group, pushing back its diversification by several million years. MUVP’s publication in The Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society underscores the global importance of the find. According to researchers, Egypt’s Western Desert remains a crucial site for understanding prehistoric life and evolutionary milestones.