Prehistoric Crocodile Relatives' Sinuses Hindered Deep Diving Evolution

Research reveals that the large snout sinuses of thalattosuchians prevented them from becoming deep sea divers like whales and dolphins.

Thalattosuchians, ancient relatives of modern crocodiles, had large snout sinuses that restricted their ability to dive deeply.
Unlike cetaceans, whose sinus adaptations allowed for deep diving by reducing pressure, thalattosuchians' sinuses expanded, preventing such evolution.
The study utilized computed tomography to compare the skulls of thalattosuchians with modern crocodiles and cetaceans.
Researchers suggest the expansive sinuses may have aided in salt excretion, a necessity for marine reptiles lacking efficient kidneys like those of cetaceans.
Thalattosuchians became extinct in the Early Cretaceous, leaving their potential for further aquatic adaptation speculative.