The researchers believe M.milleri grew to about 2 meters in length and possibly engaged in burrowing. Fossils from the Coral Bluffs have been found at times encased in phosphate-rich rock nodules that can form around and preserve fossil remains.
A new species of extinct alligator has been discovered and scientists say it is the oldest known crocodilian to occur. Researchers discover the fossils of the new crocodilian species in Colorado’s Lower Paleocene Denver Formation of Corral Bluffs. Mandrasuchus milleri was identified as a new species by its globular caudal dentition and blunted rostrum.
The researchers, E. J. Lessner, S. M. Sherman, H. Petermann, E. Panigot, F. Duffy, T. R. Lyson, say it is the earliest confirmed alligatorine and is a new representative of what the researchers call an “unresolved portion of the crocodylian phylogeny,” or part of the evolutionary family tree of crocodilians the scientists haven’t yet determined with certainty. The species snout shape and rounded, crushing teeth, suggests it was a macro generalist when it came to diet. This means it likely fed on large prey items as well as smaller prey such as mollusks, crustaceans and possibly turtles, crushing them with their globular posterior teeth.
The researchers believe M.milleri grew to about 2 meters in length and possibly engaged in burrowing. Fossils from the Coral Bluffs have been found at times encased in phosphate-rich rock nodules that can form around and preserve fossil remains. This may have occurred thanks to decaying soft tissue and bacterial activity. The researchers believe that these concretions might have been part of the reptile’s burrow.
An abstract of the paper, “New alligatorid, Mandrasuchus milleri, from the Early Paleocene (Danian) of the Denver Basin supports earliest Paleocene North American alligatorid radiation” can be read on the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology website.
Crocodile-Like Species That Lived 237 Million Years Ago Described
