Fossil detection of predators before dinosaurs

Brazilian paleontologists have found fossils full of terrifying predators, invading Earth before dinosaurs appear.

The 6.71 m long animal, known as Prestosuchus , lived 238 million years ago. They belong to the reptile family, considered to be the 'ancestors' of dinosaurs, with deep, large skulls, serrated and long tails.

Weighing around 408 kg, this predator appears on Earth in the Triassic period, about 250-205 million years ago. After they became extinct about 230 million years ago, the new dinosaurs "dominated" the world and disappeared 65 million years ago.

The most complete fossil section of the "ancestor" dinosaurs.

This full set was discovered by a team of researchers at the University of Lutheran, Brazil in the town of Dona Francisca, 257 km from Porto Alegre.

'This is something we cannot imagine, the quality of preservation and the size of fossil sets is surprising,' said Professor Da Silva.

He added: 'They are carnivores that amaze us. This new discovery gives people a deeper understanding of the Prestosuchus species and will facilitate the most accurate reconstruction of the skeleton of this animal. '

"Portrait" of Prestosuchus predator.

This is also the first fossil found with intact hind legs, helping scientists study how the Prestosuchus species move.

Prestosuchus was first found in Brazil in 1938 by a German paleontologist, Friedrich von Huene.

Source: Mail Online