New species of crocodile discovered for the first time in 85 years

Researchers at Florida International University (FIU) have discovered a new species of crocodile for the first time in 85 years. The experts were studying the critically endangered slender-snouted crocodile when they realized that it was not just one species, but two.

Matthew Shirley is the team’s lead researcher and a crocodile expert at FIU’s Tropical Conservation Institute.

“Recognizing the slender-snouted crocodile as actually comprised of two different species is cause for great conservation concern,” explained Shirley. “We estimate only 10 percent of slender-snouted crocodiles occur in West Africa, effectively diminishing its population by 90 percent.”

“This makes the West African slender-snouted crocodile one of the most critically endangered crocodile species in the world.”

Slender-snouted crocodiles live in remote areas where they have little interaction with people. They camouflage themselves from potential predators in bodies of water with thick vegetation, which has made the task of collecting DNA samples from them very challenging.

After analyzing the DNA and physical characteristics of the crocodile across six African countries, the scientists recognized two distinct species. Beyond the DNA evidence, the scientists found differences in the skull shape and scales of the crocodiles.

One group of slender-snouted crocodiles is unique to West Africa, and the other is unique to Central Africa.

Slender-snouted crocodiles have been classified on the IUCN list as “critically endangered” since 2014. They are threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and overfishing.

The FIU research will provide new insight into crocodile evolution and diversity, as well as conservation.

“We hope that this better understanding of slender-snouted crocodile evolution and taxonomy draws much-needed attention to the plight of this species, which has long been recognized as the least known crocodilian in the world,” said Shirley.

The study is published in the journal Zootaxa.

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By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Staff Writer

Image Credit: Florida International University