Ancient long snouted croc from Egypt rewrites evolution

The study, reported in The Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, was conducted by a team of Egyptian paleontologists. They identified a new species named Wadisuchus kassabi, which lived roughly 80 million years ago. It is now considered the earliest known representative of Dyrosauridae -- a lineage of ancient crocodiles that differed substantially from the crocodiles seen today.

Revealing the Early Marine Lifestyle of Dyrosaurids

Dyrosaurids did not resemble the river-dwelling species familiar to us. Instead, they thrived in coastal and oceanic settings. Their long, narrow snouts and rows of thin, pointed teeth allowed them to catch agile prey such as fish and turtles. Their ability to survive and spread in the aftermath of the dinosaur extinction makes them a key group for understanding how reptiles adapted during a period of dramatic environmental change.

The name Wadisuchus kassabi reflects both the region and its cultural heritage. Wadi ("وادي," Arabic for "valley") refers to the New Valley, where the fossils were recovered, while Suchus connects the species to Sobek, the ancient crocodile deity. The species name also commemorates Professor Ahmed Kassab (Assiut University), whose contributions to Egyptian paleontology continue to guide and inspire future scientists.

A Detailed Look Inside the Fossils

Professor Hesham Sallam, Egyptian Vertebrate Paleontologist at Mansoura University and senior author of the research, explained: "The fossils of Wadisuchus kassabi were excavated near Kharga and Baris oases in Egypt's Western Desert. They include two partial skulls and two snout tips representing four individuals at different stages of growth, providing rare insight into how dyrosaurids developed." Sallam continued: "High-resolution CT scans and 3D surface models enabled us to reveal unprecedented anatomical details."

Distinctive Features Offer Clues to Dyrosaurid Origins

Sara Saber, Assistant Lecturer at Assiut University, member of the Sallam Lab team at MUVP, and lead author of the study, said: "Wadisuchus kassabi, was a 3.5-4-meter-long crocodile-like reptile with a very long snout and tall, sharp teeth. It differed from other dyrosaurids, in having four teeth at the front of the snout instead of the primitive five, nostrils positioned on top of the snout for surface breathing, and a deep notch at the tip of the snout where the jaws met. These features show a gradual adaptation in the dyrosaurid bite, marking an important step in their evolutionary history."

Saber added: "Beyond the distinctive features of Wadisuchus, it plays a crucial role in understanding the origin of the dyrosaurid group. 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)."

Egypt as the Birthplace of a Global Crocodile Lineage

Belal Salem, PhD student at Ohio University, member of the Sallam Lab, Curator of Fossil Reptiles and Birds at MUVP, and faculty member at Benha University, states: "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 an ancestor of the dyrosaurid group."

Salem added that the find carries a broader message: "The significance of Wadisuchus lies not only in what it reveals about the evolutionary history of this remarkable group of crocodiles -- though that is a major achievement -- but also in what it reminds us of: Egypt's Western Desert still holds treasures that preserve the secrets of our planet's deep past. 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."