Crocodiles survived the asteroid attack that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago as a result of ‘spirited evolution’ that saw the animals flourish on land AND in the oceans
- Experts studied more than 200 skulls and jaws of crocodiles and their extinct species
- Some extinct crocodile groups evolved very quickly over millions of years
- Today’s crocodiles and alligators have evolved steadily over the past 80 million years
It’s a mystery that has baffled scientists for years: Why did crocodiles survive the asteroid strike that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago?
Now researchers think they have the answer, and it all comes down to the aptly named “ spicy evolution. ”
In a new study, scientists suggest that crocodiles underwent rapid evolution, which meant the creatures could thrive on land and in the oceans.
Dr. Stephanie Pierce, associate professor of Organismic and Evolution Biology at Harvard University, said: “Ancient crocodiles came in a dizzying array of shapes. They were adapted to run on land, swim in the water, catch fish, and even chew on plants.
“Our study shows that these very different ways of life evolved incredibly quickly, allowing extinct crocodiles to thrive rapidly and dominate new ecological niches for many millions of years.”
In a new study, scientists suggest that crocodiles underwent rapid evolution, which meant the creatures could thrive on land and in the oceans. Depicted is a modern crocodile
In the study, researchers from the University of Bristol and Harvard University studied more than 200 skulls and jaws of crocodiles and their extinct species spanning 230 million years.
The team analyzed how the shape of the skulls and jaws varied between species, and studied how quickly crocodile groups changed over time.
Their findings suggest that some extinct groups of crocodiles, including dolphin-like thalattosuchi and land-dwelling notosuchi, evolved very rapidly over millions of years.
These species also underwent massive changes in their skulls and jaws, becoming almost mammal-like at times.
And while today’s crocodiles, alligators, and gharials are often referred to as “living fossils,” the researchers suggest this is not the case and that there is “no evidence of a slowing down in their evolution.”
Instead, the team believes today’s crocodiles, alligators and gharials have evolved steadily over the past 80 million years.
Dr. Tom Stubbs, who led the study, said, “Crocodiles and their ancestors are an incredible group for understanding the rise and fall of biodiversity.
A fossil of a land crocodile from the Cretaceous. Notosuchians had a variety of diets, including eating insects and eating plants
This small skull belonged to an early ancestor of crocodiles that lived on land and fed a varied diet
‘There are only 26 crocodile species today, most of which are very similar. However, there are hundreds of fossil species with spectacular variation, especially in their feeding apparatus. ‘
While scientists have long believed that dramatic shifts in habitat and diet can cause rapid evolution, this is the first time it has been demonstrated in crocodiles.
Professor Micahel Benton, who also collaborated on the study, said: “It is not clear why modern crocodiles are so limited in their adaptation.
While scientists have long believed that dramatic shifts in habitat and diet can cause rapid evolution, this is the first time it has been demonstrated in crocodiles. Depicted is an extinct Jurassic sea crocodile
‘If we only had the living species, we could argue that they are limited in their way of life because of their cold-bloodedness or their anatomy.
However, the fossil record shows their amazing potential, including vast numbers of species in the oceans and on land.
“Maybe they only fared well if the global climate was warmer than it is now.”
KILLING THE DINOSAURS: HOW A CITY SIZE ASTEROID REMOVED 75 PERCENT OF ALL ANIMAL AND PLANT SPECIES
About 65 million years ago, non-avian dinosaurs were wiped out and more than half of all species in the world were obliterated.
This mass extinction paved the way for the emergence of mammals and the appearance of humans.
The Chicxulub asteroid is often cited as a possible cause of the Cretaceous Paleogene extinction.
The asteroid hit a shallow sea in what is now the Gulf of Mexico.
The collision created a massive cloud of dust and soot that triggered global climate change and wiped out 75 percent of all animal and plant species.
Researchers argue that the soot needed for such a global catastrophe could only come from a direct impact on rocks in shallow water around Mexico, which are particularly rich in hydrocarbons.
Within 10 hours of impact, a massive tsunami swept through the Gulf Coast, experts believe.
About 65 million years ago, non-avian dinosaurs were wiped out and more than half of all species in the world were obliterated. The Chicxulub asteroid is often cited as a possible cause of the Cretaceous Paleogene extinction (stock image)
This caused earthquakes and landslides in areas as far as Argentina.
But while the waves were and eruptions, the creatures living at the time weren’t just suffering from the waves – the heat was much worse.
Investigating the event, researchers found tiny rock particles and other debris shot into the sky when the asteroid crashed.
These tiny particles, called spheres, covered the planet with a thick layer of soot.
Experts explain that the loss of light from the sun caused a complete collapse of the water system.
This is because the phytoplankton base of almost all aquatic food chains would have been eliminated.
It is believed that the more than 180 million years of evolution that brought the world to the Cretaceous Point was destroyed in less than the lifespan of a Tyrannosaurus rex, which is about 20 to 30 years.