Newly named fossil from Petrified Forest NP looks like ancient version of Komodo dragon

PETRIFIED FOREST, Ariz. — Petrified Forest National Park (PEFO) paleontologists announced the naming of new genus and species of Triassic reptiles Puercosuchus traverorum in the Journal of Paleontology on Sept. 28.

“This reptile (Puercosuchus traverorum) superficially resembled living Komodo dragons in size and body shape. Its serrated and sharp teeth … would have made Puercosuchus a formidable predator,” PEFO said in a press release announcing the study. “Although its fossils are found alongside those of early dinosaurs, Puercosuchus was not a dinosaur.”

https://www.nhonews.com/news/2022/nov/25/puercosuchus-traverorum-petrified-forest-fossil-re/

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