Eight-million-year-old crocodile skull identified as part of new extinct species

According to details, the skull had been discovered about 200km (125 miles) from Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory (NT), in 2009.

Earlier it was said that the crocodile belongs reptile species of Baru genus, but that has now been updated with new study.

The species is expected to be named in 2022.

Dr Adam Yates, senior curator of Earth Sciences at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, said that the skull was found at the Alcoota fossil site in central Australia.

"It tells us about a new species that we didn't realise was inhabiting central Australia. It's somewhat surprising to imagine that central Australia had rivers to support crocodiles. "It's one more thread in the tapestry in understanding the way Australian fauna has evolved over time," he said.

Dr Yates said that although thee Baru genus was a quite common species in ancient times, but this discovered skull belongs to an undescribed species of crocodile.

“It belongs to a species that has not yet been given a scientific name, it is distinctly different from its closest relatives. The crocodiles today are from a completely different branch of the crocodile family tree.”