UV light reveals possible camouflage on a 125-million-year-old crocodile

A 125-million-year-old crocodile fossil revealed preserved skin, possible sensory organs, sophisticated respiratory structures, and an unexpected pattern on its tail. Ultraviolet light exposed alternating bands that may represent ancient camouflage, potentially preserving the oldest known coloration in a crocodylomorph. UV light reveals possible camouflage on a 125-million-year-old crocodile.

A remarkably preserved fossil from northeastern Spain is giving scientists a rare look at the skin, soft tissues, and possible coloration of an ancient crocodile relative that lived about 125 million years ago. The new study, published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, provides the first detailed description of soft tissues preserved in Montsecosuchus depereti, a Lower Cretaceous crocodylomorph discovered at the Pedrera de Meià site in the province of Lleida (Catalonia, Spain). By examining the fossil under ultraviolet light, researchers uncovered new evidence about its skin, sensory structures, respiratory anatomy, and possible color pattern.

The work was led by the Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont. A Tiny Crocodile Preserved for 125 Million Years about 125 million years ago, a small crocodile died in a karstic lake close to the coast of what is now the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees. Its body settled into fine lake sediments, where unusually favorable conditions helped preserve it in exceptional detail.