耶鲁大学研究人员对一块尘封近80年的化石进行分析，确认了一种此前未被认识的三叠纪捕食者物种——Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa[1]。这一生物生活在距今约2.1亿年前的现今新墨西哥州，体型大小与豺狼相当[1]。该化石发现于1948年，但直到最近才通过CT扫描等现代技术揭示其隐藏的解剖学特征，从而确认其为独立物种[1]。
研究表明，Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa具有加强的颅骨和强大的颌肌，与同时期的早期鳄鱼亲缘物种Hesperosuchus agilis共存[1]。两种捕食者的颅骨结构存在明显差异，表明它们采用了不同的捕食策略，追捕不同类型的猎物，从而减少直接竞争[1]。古生物学家推测这两个物种可能在闪电洪水或泥石流事件中同时死亡[1]。相关研究已发表于《皇家学会学报B》[1]。
Yale University researchers have identified a previously unknown predator from the Triassic period by analyzing a fossil that remained unstudied for nearly 80 years. The creature, named Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa, roamed what is now New Mexico approximately 210 million years ago and was roughly the size of a jackal [1]. The fossil, discovered in 1948 at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, underwent CT scanning that revealed hidden anatomical features, confirming it as a distinct species separate from other early crocodile relatives [1].
The analysis, conducted by Yale paleontologists including Miranda Margulis-Ohnuma and Bhart-Anjan Bhullar, shows that Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa coexisted with another early predator, Hesperosuchus agilis, during the same period [1]. Despite occupying the same environment, the two species likely employed different hunting strategies, with their distinct skull structures suggesting they pursued different types of prey to reduce direct competition [1]. Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa possessed a reinforced skull and powerful jaw muscles, distinguishing it from its contemporary [1]. Paleontologists believe the two predators may have perished simultaneously in a flash flood or mudslide, preserving them together in the fossil record [1]. The research was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B in 2026 [1].