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Over the past 85 years, researchers have estimated that there are only three species of crocodiles in Africa: the Nile, the dwarf and the slender snout.
A team of American researchers recently discovered that there are more species in the wild, including two Nile species and three dwarf species. While studying a slender-snouted species that was about to disappear, the same team identified a new species of African crocodile, clbadified in the slender-snouted crocodile category of Central Africa. The scientific name is Mecistops leptorhynchus.
The discovery is explained in detail in a new study recently published in a peer-reviewed journal.
New freshwater species are found in Cameron, Tanzania and surrounding areas. It was previously thought that the species was part of the slender-nosed crocodile or Mecistops cataphractus, established in West Africa.
The recognition of two distinct species of slender snouted crocodiles has raised serious conservation concerns, with only 10% of slender-nosed crocodiles living in West Africa, reducing the population by 90%. These figures mean that the slender-crowned snake of West Africa is about to disappear.
The two species of crocodiles are differentiated by their genetic structure, which was split 8 million years ago, in the volcanic region now known as Cameroon. Their appearance is also different, as the new species has a smooth, smooth skin and its scales are lighter, without the specific bone ridges flanked by West African fangs.
The joint study, conducted by the University of Florida in partnership with the University of Iowa and Washington, badyzed crocodile species found in 14 African countries. Mercistops leptorhynchus is the first new fundamentally new species fully studied since 1935.
Research is essential for conservation efforts in the region, which aim to hunt poachers while minimizing habitat loss.
One of the principal investigators said in an interview that this discovery reinforced the risks that some species were facing in our time.
Patrick Supernaw is the chief editor of Great Lakes Ledger. Patrick has written for numerous publications, including The Huffington Post and Vanity Fair. Patrick is based in Ottawa and covers issues that affect his city. In addition to her heavy reliance on hockey, Pat also enjoys kayaking and frequenting the Rideau Cbad. Contact Pat here
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