Why in news?
Villagers near Megha village in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district stumbled upon fossilised bones in September 2025. Early analysis suggests the remains belong to a phytosaur, a crocodile‑like reptile that lived more than 200 million years ago. The find has excited palaeontologists because it may provide new clues about India’s prehistoric past.
What are phytosaurs?
Phytosaurs were semi‑aquatic reptiles that thrived during the Late Triassic period, long before true crocodiles evolved. Although their long snouts and sharp teeth resemble those of modern crocodiles, phytosaurs were a distinct lineage. They grew up to seven metres long and likely hunted fish and smaller terrestrial animals along riverbanks. Their fossils have been found in North America, Europe, Africa and India, indicating that they were widespread when all continents were joined in the supercontinent Pangaea.
Significance of the Jaisalmer find
- Window into the past: The specimen may date to the transition from the Triassic to the Jurassic period, when many reptiles died out and dinosaurs began to dominate.
- Expanding India’s fossil record: Rajasthan’s desert formations preserve rich marine and terrestrial fossils, but complete vertebrate skeletons are rare. This discovery could fill gaps in our understanding of ancient ecosystems on the Indian plate.
- Paleontological awareness: The find underscores the need to protect fossil sites from theft and damage. Local authorities have secured the area, and experts plan detailed excavations.
By carefully studying the bones, scientists hope to reconstruct how these reptiles lived and how environmental changes shaped the evolution of reptiles and early dinosaurs.