Credit: Christopher Brochu, University of Iowa
Researchers led by the University of Iowa have discovered two new species of crocodiles that roamed parts of Africa between 18 million and 15 million years ago and preyed on human ancestors. The Kinyang giant dwarf crocodiles (in gold) were up to four times the length of their modern relatives, dwarf crocodiles (shown in green). The new species discovery comes after analysis of the skull of a Kinyang specimen.