"UT Austin Researchers Unveil Ancient Crocodile Ancestor, Garzapelta: The Triassic Tank"

The ancient reptile Garzapelta muelleri, an aetosaur, lived over 200 million years ago and was recently identified after 30 years of being unidentified. Its fossil, found in Texas, is 70% complete and features most of the animal's body, including its shieldlike carapace and bony plates for protection. The creature, resembling a polite crocodile, is a significant find in paleontology and provides valuable insights into the anatomy and evolution of ancient reptiles.