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Newly Discovered Reptile Reveals Evolutionary Secrets of Archosaurs

3/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

University of Washington paleontologists identified a new shuvosaurid reptile, Sonselasuchus cedrus, from Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.
The 25-inch-tall animal lived about 225–201 million years ago and shifted from four legs to a bipedal stance with maturity.
The species name honors the cedar tree.
Since 2014 researchers have collected over 3,000 fossils at the site.
The findings highlight convergent evolution between croc-line and bird-line archosaurs.

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Story summary

University of Washington paleontologists identified a new shuvosaurid reptile, Sonselasuchus cedrus, from Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.
The 25-inch-tall animal lived about 225–201 million years ago and shifted from four legs to a bipedal stance with maturity.
The species name honors the cedar tree.
Since 2014 researchers have collected over 3,000 fossils at the site.
The findings highlight convergent evolution between croc-line and bird-line archosaurs.