Computed tomography image of ancient crocodile (Patrick M. O'Connor)
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Ancient crocodile 'had bite like a mammal's

A new species of ancient crocodilian with an unusual bite has been discovered, scientists report in the journal Nature.

The small reptile, which is distantly related to modern crocodiles, was unearthed in Tanzania and lived approximately 100 million years ago.

X-ray computed tomography revealed that the creature had dental features that had previously only been thought to exist in mammals, such as specialised teeth with shearing edges instead of rows of undifferentiated fangs.

  • 04 Aug 2010