00:03Crocodiles have been called the last survivors of the dinosaur age sharing a lot in common with
00:08their reptilian ancestors. They certainly haven't changed much in 200 million years and compared to
00:15other animals like lizards or birds their species diversity is pretty limited. There are only 25
00:21different species alive today fewer than in prehistoric times. Now a study from the University
00:26of Bristol may explain why they've changed so little. According to the research published in
00:31Nature Communications Biology crocs follow a stop start pattern of evolution. Overall they've evolved
00:38slowly but occasionally their evolution speeds up due to changes in their environment. Scientists
00:44used a machine learning algorithm to compare fossil measurements and estimate rates of evolution over
00:49time. The findings show crocodiles arrived at a body plant that was so efficient and versatile it
00:56guaranteed their survival to the modern age. This versatility could explain why crocs survived the
01:02supposed meteor impact which killed off the dinosaurs. Ultimately they landed on a lifestyle enabling them
01:08to adapt to the massive climate shift. Next the researchers hope to learn why certain species of
01:14prehistoric crocodile died out such as plant-eating and sea-dwelling types.
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