Rediscovery of Ancient Asian Alligator Species: A New Insight Into Evolutionary History
Scientists have recently discovered a new species of ancient alligator that inhabited Asia during the Miocene Epoch. This species, named Alligator sanyanensis, lived 8 million years ago and is considered the oldest known alligator species in Asia. The discovery of this species sheds light on the evolution and dispersal of ancient alligators in Asia.
The ancient Alligator sanyanensis was discovered by a team of scientists led by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The species was identified from a partial skull and lower jawbone found in Sichuan Province, China. The morphology and characteristics of these fossils indicate that the species was closely related to the modern American alligator.
This discovery is important as it provides insight into how alligators evolved and spread throughout Asia. It also highlights the importance of studying ancient fossils to understand the evolution of animal species.
source: Phys.org