The fossil was discovered in Issa Valley in the Afar region of Ethiopia by the French-Ethiopian Mission. It is a new species and genus, named Pakasuchus nalokensis, which means "crocodile from Naloke" in the Afar language.
Pakasuchus is characterized by a unique set of features that distinguish it from other crocodilians known to date. For instance, it had a relatively short and broad snout, with teeth adapted for crushing rather than piercing prey. This suggests that Pakasuchus likely had a diet that included tougher food items such as mollusks and crustaceans, which it could crush with its powerful jaws.
The fossil also reveals that Pakasuchus had strong forelimbs and robust claws, indicating that it was capable of spending significant time on land, unlike most modern crocodiles which are primarily aquatic. This suggests that Pakasuchus may have been more terrestrial in its habits, potentially occupying environments such as riverbanks or swamps.
The discovery of Pakasuchus provides valuable insights into the evolution of crocodilians and the diversity that existed in their early history. It demonstrates that ancient crocodiles exhibited remarkable adaptations and ecological roles, challenging traditional views of crocodilians as solely aquatic predators.
The well-preserved fossil of Pakasuchus is currently housed at the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. Further studies and analysis of the fossil are expected to contribute to our understanding of the evolutionary relationships and biology of this ancient crocodile species.
