Crocodile Evolution Influenced by Climate Change, Competition, and Ecology

Rising sea levels pose greatest risk to freshwater-dwelling crocodiles, new study finds.

Researchers have mapped the family tree of crocodiles and their extinct relatives, revealing that climate change, competition with other species, and ecology have shaped their diversity.
When global temperatures rose, the number of species of the crocodile’s sea-dwelling and land-based relatives increased, while competition for resources likely led to their extinction.
Crocodile's freshwater-dwelling relatives were not affected by temperatures, but rising sea levels put them at greatest risk of extinction.
Seven species of crocodile are categorized as Critically Endangered and four species are identified as vulnerable, with rising sea levels associated with global warming potentially altering their habitats irreversibly.
The findings provide important insights for conservation efforts of crocodiles and other species as the climate continues to change.