An odd-nosed crocodile ate our prehistoric ancestors
Humans have been battling crocodiles for a long time Really long lasting. The recent discovery of an ancient species of crocodilian sporting a strange snout indicates that the reptiles may even have preyed on our first known hominid ancestor.
The species detailed in a study published today in the Journal of Systematic Paleontology it is even probable that he attacked the most famous historical hominid in anthropology…Australopithecus afarensisbetter known as Lucy.
Today’s crocodiles – and the danger they pose – remain virtually unchanged since they first appeared on Earth more than 200 million years ago. The newly described species Crocodylus lucivenator existed 3.4 to 3 million years ago in present-day Ethiopia and resembled the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). Although largely arid today, the region C. lucivenatorThe era was covered in shrubs and wetlands broken by multiple rivers.
In 2016, researchers began to suspect the existence of a previously unknown species of crocodile by examining the archival remains of dozens of specimens in a museum in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. It is clear that C. lucivenator was a major enemy. Judging by the specimens, paleontologists estimate that it was up to 15 feet long and weighed up to 1,300 pounds.
“It was the largest predator in this ecosystem, more so than lions and hyenas,” said Christopher Brochu, an environmental scientist at the University of Iowa and co-author of the study.
Besides the size of the apex predator, C. lucivenator Also exhibited unique physical traits.
“I was blown away because there was this really weird combination of character states,” Brochu said.
The most notable feature was a large hump located in the middle of its snout. Although similar bone growth can be seen in today’s American crocodiles, it is not apparent in the African Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus).C. lucivenator‘s distinctive snout probably functioned the same way as well.
“We see this in some modern crocodiles,” Brochu added. “The male will lower his head a little towards a female to show her.”
Ancient reptiles were also not afraid of each other. One specimen examined by Brochu’s team had multiple, partially healed jaw wounds, indicating a scuffle with another ambushing predator.
“This type of biting behavior can be found throughout the crocodile family tree,” explained Stephanie Drumheller, a University of Tennessee paleontologist and co-author of the study. “We cannot know which fighter emerged victorious from this fight, but the healing tells us that, winner or loser, that animal survived the encounter.”
Other animals weren’t so lucky, especially anything C. lucivenator in preparation for his next meal. And this is where it becomes particularly fascinating. At least three other crocodile species roamed an area to the south known as the Eastern Rift Valley. C. lucivenator was the only creature of its kind at Hadar, a site in the Afar region of Ethiopia. Hadar is best known for housing the bones of humanity’s first known ancestor, A. afarensis. The hominid species is often illustrated by a remarkably complete specimen discovered in 1974. Affectionately known as Lucy, she probably had to watch her back whenever she approached a river.
“It was the largest predator in this ecosystem … and the greatest threat to our ancestors who lived there at that time,” Brochu said.
There is currently no direct fossil evidence of A. afarensis victim of an attack C. lucivenatorbut their overlapping timelines meant that such scenarios were almost inevitable. In fact, the study authors are so confident that this is illustrated in the crocodile’s name: Crocodylus lucivenator translates to “Lucy’s Hunter”.
“It’s almost certain that this crocodile would have hunted Lucy’s species,” Brochu said. “If a particular crocodile tried to catch Lucy, we’ll never know, but it would have seen Lucy’s type and thought, ‘Dinner.'”
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