Paleontologists have unveiled a new species of ancient crocodile, named Wadisuchus kassabi, which lived approximately 80 million years ago in what is now Egypt’s Western Desert. This extraordinary discovery makes it the oldest confirmed member of the Dyrosauridae family. More broadly, it suggests that the evolutionary history of these seagoing reptiles starts in Africa, contrary to prior thought on where and how they diversified.
This unique species was first found close to modern day Egypt’s Kharga and Baris oases. This area, saturated with dyrosaurid fossils, provides unprecedented evidence of the evolutionary history of these ancient reptiles. The recently unveiled species features an elongated, snake-like snout and needle-like teeth. These truly spectacular adaptations literally shape the pod and arm them uniquely to navigate the harsh and beautiful landscapes of the world’s oceans.
Characteristics of Wadisuchus kassabi
The Wadisuchus kassabi is about 3.5 to 4 meters long, and comes with many remarkable characteristics. Its long, narrow jaws are lined with high, serrated teeth, probably a big help when it came to snagging prey. Most notably, it has four teeth at the front of its snout, instead of five like the other dyrosaurids.
Another interesting feature of this species is the location of its nostrils, located on top of its snout. This peculiar anatomy would have minimized drag, letting it gulp air while swimming right under the water’s surface. A pronounced notch at the front of the snout indicates where the upper and lower jaws connect. This feature suggests a later-stage modification toward a more defined dyrosaurid bite, representing an important evolutionary step.
“Wadisuchus kassabi was a 3.5–4-meter-long crocodile-like reptile with a very long snout and tall, sharp teeth.” – Sara Saber
Sara Saber elaborated on the dental structure of Wadisuchus kassabi, noting, “It differed from other dyrosaurids in having four teeth at the front of the snout instead of the primitive five.” This specialized structure is considered a significant developmental milestone for this clade.
Significance of the Discovery
Wadisuchus kassabi wasn’t just an exciting new species. Its discovery had deep implications for how we understand dyrosaurid evolution. Earth Saber also shares how this species is key to finding the root of the dyrosaurid family tree. This suggests that their diversification had started much earlier than we previously thought.
“Beyond the distinctive features of Wadisuchus, it plays a crucial role in understanding the origin of the dyrosaurid group,” said Saber. “The new species pushes back evidence for an African origin of Dyrosauridae and suggests that their diversification began earlier than previously thought—possibly during the early Coniacian–Santonian (about 87–83 million years ago), rather than the traditionally assumed Maastrichtian (about 72–66 million years ago).”
Fellow co-author Belal Salem noted that Africa was the cradle for the evolution of dyrosaurids. He famously claimed that later lineages radiated out across the world from this center of origin. He stated:
“This discovery indicates that Africa was the cradle of dyrosaurid evolution, from which later lineages spread across the globe and our phylogenetic analyses consistently place Wadisuchus as an ancestor of the dyrosaurid group.”
Ongoing Research Efforts
The dig site around the Kharga and Baris oases has revealed partial skulls and entire snout tips. These remains are of four different individuals at various stages of growth. These fossils give researchers a unique view of the evolutionary changes dyrosaurids underwent over time.
Hesham Sallam remarked on the significance of these findings, noting, “The fossils of Wadisuchus kassabi were excavated near Kharga and Baris oases in Egypt’s Western Desert.” He emphasized what this discovery means for further understanding of ancient ecosystems and species interactions.
Belal Salem reiterated the importance of preserving these fossil-rich sites, stating:
“Our mission is not only to uncover these fossils but also to protect the fossil-rich sites from urban expansion and agricultural encroachment. They are a legacy for generations of Egyptians to come.”