A massive prehistoric crocodile roamed around Queensland, Australia, a few million years ago. Since the skull measured about 65 centimeters long (2.1 feet), researchers were able to estimate that the entire length of its body was more than 5 meters (16.4 feet). Based on its giant size, it would have been a top predator during its time and could have easily preyed upon large marsupials.
The newly discovered species has been called
Paludirex vincenti – “
vincenti” in honor of Geoff Vincent who found the fossilized skull.
The fossil was unearthed close to the town of Chinchilla back in the 1980s and it was researchers from the University of Queensland (UQ) who identified the new species of prehistoric crocodile. In fact, the skull was displayed at the Queensland Museum for numerous years prior to being donated to the Chinchilla Museum in 2011. (A picture of some of the skull bones can be seen here.)
12-22-2020
By
Earth.com staff writer
A few million years ago, a massive crocodile measuring more than five meters long dominated the waterways of southeast Queensland. The “swamp king” has been identified by experts at the University of Queensland based on their analysis of fossils that were uncovered in the 1980s.
According to study lead author and PhD candidate Jorgo Ristevski, the researchers named the species
Paludirex vincenti after Geoff Vincent, who discovered the giant fossilized skull near the town of Chinchilla.
“In Latin, ‘Paludirex’ means ‘swamp king,’ and ‘vincenti’ honors the late Mr. Vincent,” said Ristevski. “For several years the fossilized skull was on display in the Queensland Museum, before it was donated to the Chinchilla Museum in 2011.”
Credit: The University of Queensland
A prehistoric croc measuring more than five metres long - dubbed the swamp king - ruled south eastern Queensland waterways only a few million years ago.
University of Queensland researchers identified the new species of prehistoric croc - which they named
Paludirex vincenti - from fossils first unearthed in the 1980s.
UQ PhD candidate Jorgo Ristevski, from UQ s School of Biological Sciences, said they named the species after Geoff Vincent who discovered the giant fossilised skull near the town of Chinchilla. In Latin, Paludirex means swamp king , and vincenti honours the late Mr Vincent, he said.