Overview

• Crocodylomorphs, including modern crocodilians, have survived over 230 million years, enduring the end-Triassic and end-Cretaceous mass extinctions.
• Researchers attribute their longevity to flexible, generalist lifestyles, including diverse diets and adaptable habitats, which allowed them to thrive in changing environments.
• A comprehensive analysis of 99 extinct and 20 modern species revealed that only generalist forms persisted through mass extinction events, shaping today's semi-aquatic crocodilians.
• The study emphasizes that dietary flexibility could be crucial for critically endangered species, such as the Gharial and Cuban Crocodile, facing habitat loss and climate change.
• Scientists caution against directly applying ancient survival traits to modern conservation but highlight their potential to guide efforts in mitigating current environmental crises.