Scientists have identified a previously unknown Alligator species that lived in ancient Thailand around 230,000 years ago. The species, named Alligator munensis, shares a close evolutionary relationship with the Chinese alligator. The discovery was made possible by examining a nearly complete fossilized skull. The newly identified species displayed distinctive skull characteristics, such as a wide and short snout and a high skull structure. Scientists believe that the Chinese alligator and Alligator munensis may have originated from a common ancestor in the lowlands of the Yangtze-Xi and Mekong-Chao Phraya river systems. The diet of Alligator munensis likely included hard-shelled prey.

The post Ancient Alligator Species identified in Thailand appeared first on Balanced News Summary.