Scientists Discover Toothless Bipedal Crocodile Ancestor From 212 Million Years Ago

The discovery of a toothless, bipedal crocodile relative in New Mexico has shed new light on the evolutionary diversity of ancient archosaurs, offering insights into the unexpected adaptations of prehistoric reptiles. The fossil, dating back 212 million years, was identified as a member of the Shuvosauridae family and named *Labrujasuchus expectatus*, according to a report by Sci.News. This find, uncovered in the Chinle Formation, challenges previous assumptions about the morphology and locomotion of early crocodile relatives, revealing a creature that walked on two legs and possessed a beak-like snout.

The Unique Anatomy of *Labrujasuchus expectatus*

Unlike modern crocodiles, which are typically quadrupedal and toothy, *Labrujasuchus expectatus* exhibited a strikingly different anatomy. Fossil evidence suggests it was a bipedal predator, capable of moving swiftly on its hind legs, much like a small theropod dinosaur. Its toothless, beaked jaw structure further distinguishes it from contemporaneous crocodilian ancestors, hinting at a specialized diet and ecological niche. These features align with other members of the Shuvosauridae family, a group of semi-aquatic archosaurs that thrived during the Triassic period.

Scientific American noted that the creature’s skeletal remains, including its elongated limbs and robust pelvis, indicate a highly mobile predator adapted for both land and water. The absence of teeth, a rare trait among early crocodilians, suggests it may have relied on its beak to crush hard-shelled prey or filter food from water, similar to modern-day flamingos or certain bird species. This discovery underscores the evolutionary experimentation that characterized the Triassic period, a time when archosaurs diversified into a wide array of forms.

Context Within the Triassic Ecosystem

The Chinle Formation, where the fossil was found, is a well-known geological layer in New Mexico that has yielded numerous Triassic-era fossils. This region was once a floodplain teeming with life, including early dinosaurs, amphibians, and other archosaurs. The presence of *Labrujasuchus expectatus* in this ecosystem highlights the complex interactions between different species during this critical period of Earth’s history.

DOGO News emphasized that the discovery adds to a growing body of evidence that early crocodile relatives were