New Aetosaur Species, Garzapelta Muelleri, Unearthed After 30 Years on Shelf

The discovery of Garzapelta muelleri, a heavily armored ancient crocodile ancestor, sheds light on the diversity of life during the Triassic Period.

Researchers have identified a new species of aetosaur, Garzapelta muelleri, which lived over 215 million years ago, predating the dinosaurs.
Garzapelta muelleri's fossil, found in Garza County, Texas, showcases a 70% complete carapace, providing valuable insights into its anatomy and lifestyle.
This ancient reptile was omnivorous and coated in rock-hard plates and curved spikes, distinguishing it from modern crocodiles and its aetosaur relatives.
The discovery was made possible by a study led by the University of Texas at Austin, highlighting the species' unique skeletal features for phylogenetic analysis.
Garzapelta muelleri's identification challenges previous phylogenetic analyses due to the convergence of osteoderm features across distantly related aetosaurs.