London, May 13 (IANS) Researchers have found a "missing link" from a 180 million-year-old fossil that sheds light on how some ancient crocodiles evolved into dolphin-like animals. The species featuring a large portion of backbone is nearly five metres long and had large, pointed teeth for grasping prey. Besides being heavily armoured, the species also had a tail fin, suggesting it is a missing link in the family tree of crocodiles, the researchers noted, in the paper published in the journal PeerJ. "The presence of both bony armour and a tail fin highlights the remarkable diversity of Jurassic-era crocodiles." Some Jurassic-era crocodiles had bony armour on their backs and bellies and limbs adapted for walking on land.

Source: Economic Times May 13, 2018 14:48 UTC