Overlooked Fossil Uncovers New 210-Million-Year-Old Triassic Predator in New Mexico

A fossil recovered from Ghost Ranch in northern New Mexico in 1948 has been re-studied by Yale scientists, who identified it as a new species of early crocodylomorph, Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa. Computed-tomography scans allowed the team to digitally separate the bones from the surrounding rock, exposing a short, heavily reinforced skull and enlarged jaw muscles suited for tackling larger prey. This anatomy contrasts with the longer-snouted Hesperosuchus agilis found alongside it, suggesting niche partitioning among contemporaneous predators.

The discovery, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, underscores rapid functional diversification at the dawn of the “Age of Reptiles.” Lead author Bhart-Anjan Bhullar noted that such well-preserved specimens illuminate how early crocodile relatives began to fill varied ecological roles. The research also demonstrates the untapped potential of existing museum collections to reveal novel insights into ancient life.