Prehistoric Marine Reptile Reclassified After New Discovery

Bones once thought to belong to an ancient crocodile-like reptile are now identified as one of the last thalattosaurs.

New analysis reveals Pachystropheus rhaeticus was a small thalattosaur, not a choristodere.
The discovery was made by comparing a 1935 specimen with a newly found fossil named 'Annie'.
Thalattosaurs, including Pachystropheus, had long necks and tails, and were adept swimmers.
Pachystropheus likely lived like modern otters, feeding on small fish and invertebrates.
The findings provide new insights into the diversity of Triassic marine reptiles.