A new species of archosaur has been discovered that is believed to be a precursor to dinosaurs and pterosaurs. According to a new study published in the journal Nature, the specimen was unearthed in the fossil-rich beds of the Chañares Formation in Argentina. The new species, named Chañaresuchus bonapartei, is thought to have lived around 237 million years ago. It is estimated to have been about 1.5 meters long and weighed 8-10 kilograms. The specimen is well-preserved, allowing researchers to get an unprecedented look at the anatomy of a primitive archosaur. The study suggests that Chañaresuchus bonapartei is a transitional form between the two groups, possessing a mix of features previously observed in both dinosaurs and pterosaurs. This discovery has shed light on the evolutionary history of archosaurs and the origins of the two iconic groups.

Read Full Article Here

source: Phys.org