"Garzapelta: The Newly Identified Ancient Crocodile Ancestor"

Paleontologists have discovered a new species of ancient crocodile, named Garzapelta muelleri, which lived during the Late Triassic period and was known for its sturdy bony armor. The specimen, found in northwest Texas, had been sitting on a shelf for 30 years before being identified as a new species. These aetosaurs were characterized by their extensive bony armor and are thought to have gone extinct around 200 million years ago, possibly due to environmental changes or competition from evolving dinosaur groups. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of these creatures and the convergent evolution of their protective features.