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Morelet's crocodile

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Morelet's crocodile
Temporal range:Late Pleistocene–Present,0.1–0Ma[1]
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Scientific classificationEdit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Clade: Archosauromorpha
Clade: Archosauriformes
Order: Crocodilia
Family: Crocodylidae
Genus: Crocodylus
Species:
C. moreletii
Binomial name
Crocodylus moreletii
Range ofCrocodylus moreletii

Morelet's crocodile(Crocodylus moreletii), also known as theMexican crocodileorBelize crocodile,is a modest-sizedcrocodilianfound only in the Atlantic regions ofMexico,BelizeandGuatemala.[2][5]It usually grows to about 3 metres (10 ft) in length. It is a species atleast concernfor extinction according to theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature.[2] The species has a fossil record inGuatemala.[6]

Taxonomy and etymology

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Morelet's crocodile was first described in 1850 in Mexico by theFrenchnaturalistPierre Marie Arthur Morelet.The species was subsequently named after him.[7][8]It was long confused with theAmericanandCuban crocodilesbecause of similar characteristics and an ambiguoustype locality.It was not generally accepted as a separate species until the 1920s.

Evolution

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ThegenusCrocodyluslikely originated in Africa andradiatedoutwards towards Southeast Asia and the Americas,[9]although an Australia/Asia origin has also been considered.[10]Phylogeneticevidence supportsCrocodylusdiverging from its closest recent relative, the extinctVoayofMadagascar,around 25 million years ago, near theOligocene/Mioceneboundary.[9]

Phylogeny

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Below is acladogrambased on a 2018tip datingstudy by Lee & Yates simultaneously usingmorphological,molecular (DNA sequencing), andstratigraphic(fossilage) data,[11]as revised by the 2021 Hekkalaet al.paleogenomicsstudy using DNA extracted from the extinctVoay.[9]

Crocodylinae

Voay†

Crocodylus
Asia+Australia

Crocodylus johnstoniFreshwater crocodile

Crocodylus novaeguineaeNew Guinea crocodile

Crocodylus mindorensisPhilippine crocodile

Crocodylus porosusSaltwater crocodile

Crocodylus siamensisSiamese crocodile

Crocodylus palustrisMugger crocodile

Africa+New World

Crocodylus suchusWest African crocodile

Crocodylus niloticusNile crocodile

New World

Crocodylus moreletiiMorelet's crocodile

Crocodylus rhombiferCuban crocodile

Crocodylus intermediusOrinoco crocodile

Crocodylus acutusAmerican crocodile

Characteristics

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atLago Cobá,Quintana Roo,Mexico
atSchönbrunn Zoo,Vienna

Morelet's crocodile is similar in appearance and morphology to theCubanand the largerAmerican crocodiles.This species has a broad snout with 66 to 68 teeth when they are fully mature. It is grayish-brown in color with dark bands and spots on the body and tail. This is similar to other crocodiles, like the American crocodile, but the Morelet’s is somewhat darker. Juvenile crocodiles are bright yellow with dark bands. The iris is silvery brown. They have four short legs, giving them a rather sprawling gait, and a long tail, which is used for swimming. The hind feet are webbed. Despite their short legs, they are fast runners.[7]

Morelet's crocodile is smaller than most other crocodiles, though it is larger than thedwarf crocodile(Osteolaemus tetraspis). Adult males are typically larger than females. The average adult Morelet's crocodile is about 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in), with a typical length range of 1.5 to 2.7 m (4 ft 11 in to 8 ft 10 in) (the lower measurement representing the mean total length of a female at sexual maturity which is attained at roughly 7–8 years of age in the wild).[12][13]Almost all crocodiles in excess of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) are males and at this advanced stage of maturity, the male goes through a significant change in skull osteological morphology as the skull appears to increase in broadness and robustness.[14]Large adult males can attain a length of 3 m (10 ft), anything in excess of this is considered exceptionally rare for this species however the species has a maximum reported length of 4.5 m (15 ft), with two other outsized specimens reportedly measuring 4.1 and 4.3 m (13 and 14 ft), respectively.[13][15][16]One mature adult specimen measuring 2.84 m (9 ft 4 in) and weighing 110 kg (240 lb) had a bite force of 4,399N(989lbf).[17]The weight of a large 3 m (10 ft) wild male crocodile is estimated to average around150 kg (330+3⁄4lb), although mass is likely much more in outsized individuals.[13][18]One large male with a presumed total length of around 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) weighed about 250 kg (550 lb).[19]Another large individual measuring 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) in length weighed 180 kg (400 lb).[20]

Distribution and habitat

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Morelet's crocodile swimming

Morelet's crocodile can be found in freshwater habitats inCentral Americaand along theGulf of Mexicostretching through Belize, Guatemala, and to Mexico.[21]TheBelizean pine forestsare an example of the type of ecoregion in which they occur.[22]

In their freshwater habitats, they prefer isolated areas that are secluded. This species of crocodile can mainly be found in freshwater swamps and marshes which are located inland, and in large rivers and lakes.[23]Both of these habitats are forested to help add cover.[7]

The Morelet can also be found along the coast inbrackishwaters[2]and the grassy savannas on theYucatán Peninsula.[24]These crocodiles become much more distributed during the rainy seasons when flooding occurs and it is easier for them to move elsewhere.[24]

Juvenile crocodiles live in very dense cover to protect them from other predators that might be in the area and will remain there until they become older and able to fend for themselves. Adult crocodiles are known to dig outburrowsduringdry seasonsin their area.[7]The range of this crocodile can overlap with the American crocodile, which can sometimes lead to them being confused with one another. Morelet's crocodile generally prefers mainland freshwater habitats, while American crocodiles in the shared range are typically found in areas of saline mangrove, often on cays or atolls.[2]Hybridization between the two species has been reported in Mexico and coastal Belize.[2]

Recently, the Morelet's crocodile has been introduced into theRio Grande(Rio Bravo in Mexico).[25]Several newspaper outlets on the Mexican side of the border report of reptiles inhabiting the river appearing not to be theAmerican alligatorwhich is native toTexas,but the Morelet's crocodile which is native toTamaulipasfromSan Fernandosouthward.[26][27]Crocodiles have been seen in the cities ofMatamoros,[28][29][30]Reynosa[31][32][33][34][35][36]and as far north asNuevo Laredo.[37][38]The sightings have prompted several municipal police departments to put up signs warning people about entering the river.[39]

Biology and behavior

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Morelet's crocodile waiting for an ambush

Hunting and diet

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Like most crocodilians, Morelet's crocodiles are highly opportunistic and will prey on practically anything that they can overpower that comes in their territories.[40]Juvenile crocodiles feed largely on fish and insects until they become bigger and more capable of bringing down larger prey.[23]Adults largely prey on small mammals, birds, other reptiles and fish, as well asgastropods,crustaceansand other invertebrates.[16][40][41]Dogs and goats have been taken by this species, including a record of a 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) adult killing an English sheepdog which weighed at least 35 kg (77 lb).[42]Adults have also been recorded eating even larger animals, including cattle andtapirs,although these have been cases of scavenging on carcasses, with the tapir having been killed by ajaguar.[43]Crocodiles have been known to be cannibalistic towards smaller specimens. The species has attacked humans on multiple occasions and at least 12 documented human fatalities have occurred.[44]Despite the relatively small size of the species, large adult Morelet's are capable of overpowering a human. Due to partial consumption, recorded fatal attacks are likely predatory rather than defensive in nature.[45][46][47]The only natural predator of the Morelet's crocodile is the jaguar. Predation of a Morelet’s crocodile by a jaguar was captured for the first time on acamera trapin theCalakmul Biosphere Reserveof Yucatán, Mexico in 2019.[48]

Reproduction

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Six-month-old, atTiergarten Schönbrunn
Baby Morelet's crocodiles at theCotswold Wildlife Park,England

Breeding usually takes place between April and June[24]and the eggs are laid before the start of the rainy season. Morelet's crocodiles are unique among North American crocodiles in that they build mound nests only, and not mound and hole nests. These mound nests are about 3 m (10 ft) wide and 1 m (3 ft 3 in) high and can be found near the water or on floating vegetation. A female crocodile can lay between 20 and 45 eggs and nests have been found containing eggs from more than one female. The eggs are buried and the nests are guarded by females. The eggs usually hatch after 80 days of incubation[24]and hatchlings are normally about17 cm (6+1⁄2in) long.[5]After the eggs have hatched the female crocodile will carry her young to the water, where they are protected by both parents. Females are highly protective of their young and have reportedly been observed to aggressively displace intruders and humans if distress calls of the baby crocodiles are heard and even father crocodiles have been observed to spring to the defense of young crocodiles.[49][50]In captivity, juvenile crocodiles—but never hatchlings—are treated aggressively by adult crocodiles.[51]

Conservation

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Morelet's crocodile has long been threatened by habitat destruction and illegal hunting.[52]Both of these factors have significantly lowered their populations. It was hunted for its hide during the 1940s and 1950s[52]because high-quality leather can be made from their skins.[53][54]

Notes

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  1. ^Except populations of Belize and Mexico which are included in Appendix II.

References

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  1. ^Rio, Jonathan P.; Mannion, Philip D. (6 September 2021)."Phylogenetic analysis of a new morphological dataset elucidates the evolutionary history of Crocodylia and resolves the long-standing gharial problem".PeerJ.9:e12094.doi:10.7717/peerj.12094.PMC8428266.PMID34567843.
  2. ^abcdefgPlatt, S.G.; Sigler, L.; Rainwater, T.R.; Cedeño-Vázquez, J.R.; Villegas, A. (2023)."Crocodylus moreletii".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2023:e.T5663A193672551.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T5663A193672551.en.Retrieved1 April2024.
  3. ^"Appendices | CITES".cites.org.Retrieved2022-01-14.
  4. ^"Crocodylus moreletii".The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  5. ^ab"Crocodilians species (CSG)".Archived fromthe originalon 2009-07-26.
  6. ^"Crocodylus moreletii Dumeril and Bibron 1851 (Morelet's crocodile)".PBDB.
  7. ^abcdBritton, Adam (2009)."Crocodylus moreletii (BIBRON & DUMERIL, 1851)".Crocodilians Natural History and Conservation.Howard Springs, Australia.
  8. ^Beolens, B.; Watkins, M.; Grayson, M. (2011).The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles.Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp.ISBN978-1-4214-0135-5.(Crocodylus moreletii,pp. 182-183).
  9. ^abcHekkala, E.; Gatesy, J.; Narechania, A.; Meredith, R.; Russello, M.; Aardema, M. L.; Jensen, E.; Montanari, S.; Brochu, C.; Norell, M.; Amato, G. (2021-04-27)."Paleogenomics illuminates the evolutionary history of the extinct Holocene" horned "crocodile of Madagascar, Voay robustus".Communications Biology.4(1): 505.doi:10.1038/s42003-021-02017-0.ISSN2399-3642.PMC8079395.PMID33907305.
  10. ^Oaks, Jamie R. (2011)."A time-calibrated species tree of Crocodylia reveals a recent radiation of the true crocodiles".Evolution.65(11): 3285–3297.doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2011.01373.x.PMID22023592.S2CID7254442.
  11. ^Michael S. Y. Lee; Adam M. Yates (27 June 2018)."Tip-dating and homoplasy: reconciling the shallow molecular divergences of modern gharials with their long fossil".Proceedings of the Royal Society B.285(1881).doi:10.1098/rspb.2018.1071.PMC6030529.PMID30051855.
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  13. ^abcPlatt, S. G., Rainwater, T. R., Thorbjarnarson, J. B., Finger, A. G., Anderson, T. A., & McMurry, S. T. (2009).Size estimation, morphometrics, sex ratio, sexual size dimorphism, and biomass of Morelet’s crocodile in northern Belize.Caribbean Journal of Science, 45(1), 80-93.
  14. ^Barrios-Quiroz, G., Casas-Andreu, G., & Escobedo-Galván, A. H. (2012).Sexual size dimorphism and allometric growth of Morelet's crocodiles in captivity.Zoological Science, 29(3), 198-203.
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  21. ^Dever, J. A; Richard E. Strauss; Thomas R. Rainwater; Scott T. McMurry; Llewellyn D. Densmore III (2002). "Genetic Diversity, Population Subdivision, and Gene Flow in Morelet's Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) from Belize, Central America ".Copeia.2002(4): 1078–1091.doi:10.1643/0045-8511(2002)002[1078:GDPSAG]2.0.CO;2.
  22. ^C. Michael Hogan; World Wildlife Fund (2012). M. McGinley (ed.)."Belizean pine forests".Encyclopedia of Earth.Washington DC.
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  25. ^Archived atGhostarchiveand theWayback Machine:"Capturan un cocodrilo en el Río Bravo; alertan sobre peligro".YouTube.10 December 2012.
  26. ^http://www.hoytamaulipas.net/index.php?v1=notas&v2=48248
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  29. ^"Gators at busy Matamoros shopping center: News: ValleyCentral.com".Archived fromthe originalon 2014-09-05.
  30. ^"Reportan avistamientos de cocodrilos en las lagunas de la JAD de Matamoros - Hora Cero".Archived fromthe originalon 2014-09-05.Retrieved2014-09-04.
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  34. ^"Side Step - Reynosa 'alligator' could be a crocodile".16 September 2008.
  35. ^"Reynosa man earns nickname 'Crocodile Hunter': News: ValleyCentral.com".Archived fromthe originalon 2014-09-05.
  36. ^"Reynosa family finds crocodile in their home: News: ValleyCentral.com".Archived fromthe originalon 2014-09-05.
  37. ^"Fishermen catch crocodile in Rio Grande".NBC News.9 October 2006.
  38. ^"The San Diego Union-Tribune - San Diego, California & National News".
  39. ^"Para acabarla de amolar, crecida de agua trae víboras, lagartos y alimañas".
  40. ^abPlatt, S. G., Rainwater, T. R., Finger, A. G., Thorbjarnarson, J. B., Anderson, T. A., & McMurry, S. T. (2006).Food habits, ontogenetic dietary partitioning and observations of foraging behaviour of Morelet's crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) in northern Belize.The Herpetological Journal, 16(3), 281-290.
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  42. ^Pérez-Higareda, G., Rangel-Rangel, A., Smith, H. M., & Chiszar, D. (1989).Comments on the food and feeding habits of Morelet's Crocodile.Copeia, 1039-1041.
  43. ^Platt, S. G., Rainwater, T. R., Snider, S., Garel, A., Anderson, T. A., & McMurry, S. T. (2007).Consumption of large mammals by Crocodylus moreletii: field observations of necrophagy and interspecific kleptoparasitism.The Southwestern Naturalist, 52(2), 310-317.
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  46. ^Marlin, J. A., Marlin, K. K., & Platt, S. G. (1995).A documented case of an attack by Morelet's crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) on man.Bull Chicago Herp Soc, 30, 165-167.
  47. ^Sideleau, B., & Britton, A. R. C. (2012).A preliminary analysis of worldwide crocodilian attacks.In Crocodiles Proceedings of the 21st Working Meeting of the IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN (pp. 111-114).
  48. ^Simá-Pantí, David E.; Contreras-Moreno, Fernando M.; Mayor, Carlos Coutiño-Cal y; Zúñiga-Morales, José A.; Martin, Gabriela Méndez-Saint; Reyna-Hurtado, Rafael A. (2020-03-04)."Morelet's crocodile predation by jaguar in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in southeastern México".Therya Notes.1:8–10.doi:10.12933/therya_notes-20-3.ISSN2954-3614.
  49. ^Álvarez del Toro, M. and Sigler L. (2001).Los Crocodylia de México.IMRNR-PROFEPA: México, D.F.
  50. ^Rainwater, T.R., McMurry, S.T. and Platt, S.G. (2000).Crocodylus moreletii (Morelet’s crocodile) behavior.Herpetological Review 31: 237.
  51. ^Hunt, R. H. (1977).Aggressive behavior by adult morelet's crocodiles Crocodylus moreleti toward young.Herpetologica, 195-201.
  52. ^abEspinosa, Eduardo (1998)."Crocodylus Moreletii." Florida Museum.ISBN9782831704418.
  53. ^Platt, Steven; John Thorbjarnarson. “Population status and conservation of Morelet’s Crocodile, Crocodylus moreletii, in northern Belize” Biological Conservation. 2000. 96: 21-29.
  54. ^King, F.""The Crocodile Specialist Group." Crocodile Specialist Group. 4 Mar. 2002 ".Archived fromthe originalon 2007-12-28.
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