Prehistoric Crocodile Fossils Unveiled At Brazil Museum

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (AHN) - A fossil of a new species of prehistoric crocodile found in Brazil was unveiled at the National Museum of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. Scientists now believe that the crocodiles benefited from the extinction of dinosaurs to migrate from across the Atlantic.

The remains of a jaw, skull and vertebra of Guarinisuchus munizi -- the "warrior of the seas," were discovered in Palaeocene deposits of northeastern Brazil. The discovery suggests the species set off for new territory 62 million years ago and had its origins in Africa some 200 million years ago.

Paleontologist Maria Somalia Viana told a media conference in Rio de Janeiro, "They left the African continent and are believed to have occupied zones in South America, and later regions in North America."

The 10-foot-long crocodile at the museum is a very rare find that gives rise to several new theories. Scientists believe that the group originated in Africa and migrated to South America before spreading into the waters off the North American coast. Guarinisuchus appears to be closely related to marine crocodylomorphs found in Africa.

The findings were revealed in an article published Tuesday in Proceedings of The Royal Society B, a London-based peer-reviewed journal. The fossil was the most complete of the species ever found in Latin America, AFP reports.

The reptile is believed to be perfectly adapted to living in the ocean. However further study and fossil correlation is needed to arrive at more conclusions.