Ancient DNA of "Horned" Crocodile Sheds Light on Croc Family Tree

[UngulateNerd92]

New research based on two skulls that have been in the Museum’s collection since the early 1930s resolves a long-standing controversy about an extinct “horned” crocodile that lived in Madagascar.

The research team found that the horned crocodile, Voay robustus, known for the two bony knobs at the top of its head, was closely related to “true crocodiles,” but on a separate branch of the crocodile family tree.

Ancient DNA of Crocodile Sheds Light on Croc Family Tree | AMNH

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Fascinating Discovery.

I also love How the Malagasy Nile crocodiles are given distinctness over mainland African.

Similar things exist with gracile and larger giant tortoises previously existing on Madagascar, pretty much like smaller and larger giants on quite a few Indian Ocean islands.