學名:Crocodilia(鱷目)
年代:新生代
發現地:摩洛哥
說明:
看到鱷魚張開那血盆大口以及冷血的雙眸,不禁令人聯想到同是爬蟲類的蜥蜴,因此不少人以為鱷魚與蜥蜴存在著某種演化關係呢!
When we see a crocodile’s gaping mouth and cold-blooded eyes, it’s not unusual to associate it with lizards. As a result, many people believe that there is some kind of evolutionary relationship between the two species.
其實,要比「親戚」關係的話,鳥類反而與鱷魚才稱得上近親,如果您覺得這兩種物種看似八竿子打不著邊,很難接受如此衝突的搭配,不妨回想曾經在電視上看過慵懶的鱷魚浮在岸邊,張開嘴讓尼羅鴴(俗稱牙籤鳥)剔牙的樣子,是不是就親切多了呀!
In fact, when it comes to familial relationships, crocodiles are much more closer to avians than lizards. If you find it difficult to accept this relationship, why not picture those TV images of crocs floating lazily on the Nile, with Egyptian plovers cleaning their teeth? The relationship should be much
more easier to swallow.