Discovery of a Unique Jurassic Fossil in India Sheds Light on Ancient Reptile Evolution
Researchers in India have made an extraordinary find of a rare fossil belonging to a creature resembling a crocodile from the Jurassic period. This fossil, identified as a phytosaur, measures approximately 1.5 to 2 meters in length and is estimated to be over 200 million years old.
The fossil was excavated in a village located in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. This site is believed to contain numerous other hidden fossils that could significantly contribute to our understanding of evolutionary history, according to hydrogeologist Narayandas Inkhija, who led the discovery team.
The phytosaur was a semi-aquatic animal that inhabited both land and water, explains geologist C. P. Raghendran. “It eventually evolved into the modern crocodiles we recognize today,” he adds.
The local residents first spotted the skeletal remains last week while digging a lake in the area. They uncovered an outcrop resembling a large skeleton and promptly notified authorities. During excavations, scientists also discovered what appeared to be a fossilized egg, possibly belonging to the reptile.
Senior paleontologist V. S. Parihar, who led the research, stated, “The fossil indicates that the phytosaur was a medium-sized creature that lived near rivers and fed on fish.” The find is particularly significant as only a handful of phytosaurs have been discovered worldwide so far, explained Raghendran.
While important, this discovery is not unexpected because the region is believed to have once been a riverine and marine environment, as reported by Vijesti. The city of Jaisalmer, also known as the Golden City, forms part of the Lati geological formation, where dinosaurs thrived during the Jurassic era, noted Inkhija. In 2023, Inkhija himself unearthed a fossilized dinosaur egg in Jaisalmer.
Furthermore, in 2018, scientists from the Indian Geological Survey excavated the oldest herbivorous dinosaur fossil in the area.
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