New prehistoric marine predator related to crocodiles


A new prehistoric marine predator has been identified which researchers have said sheds light on the origins of the distant relatives of modern crocodiles.

The 10ft-long reptile - called Ieldraan melkshamensis - dates back 163 million years.

It was discovered by Edinburgh University palaeontologists.

They said their study revealed that an extinct group of aquatic reptiles evolved millions of years earlier than was previously thought.

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