Triassic Reptiles' 10,000-Mile Migration Through Extreme Climates Revealed

In a groundbreaking study published in *Nature Ecology and Evolution* on June 11, 2025, researchers from the University of Birmingham and the University of Bristol have unveiled new insights into the migratory behaviors of archosauromorph reptiles during the Triassic period. These reptiles, considered forerunners of modern dinosaurs and crocodiles, displayed remarkable resilience, traversing up to 10,000 miles across inhospitable regions of the ancient world, previously deemed lifeless due to extreme climatic conditions following the end-Permian mass extinction.
The research team employed an innovative modeling technique that integrates fossil data, landscape reconstructions, and evolutionary phylogenetics to better understand the dispersal of these early reptiles. According to Dr. Joseph Flannery-Sutherland, the corresponding author of the study at the University of Birmingham, their findings suggest that despite the severe climatic events that characterized the era, life managed to persist and adapt. He stated, "Amid the worst climatic event in Earth's history, where more species died than at any period since, life still survived. We know that archosauromorphs as a group managed to come out of this event and over the Triassic period became one of the main players in shaping life thereafter."
Historically, the Triassic period has been viewed as a time when many species struggled to survive. The end-Permian mass extinction, occurring around 252 million years ago, was a catastrophic event that wiped out approximately 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrates. Previous studies suggested that archosauromorphs were limited to specific geographical areas, primarily due to the extreme heat prevalent across the tropics, which was considered a 'dead zone' for life.
The researchers' new modeling system, aptly named TARDIS (Terrain And Routes Directed in Space-Time), revealed that these reptiles could endure the harsh conditions of the Pangaean tropical dead zone, enabling them to access new ecosystems. The implications of this adaptability suggest that the ability to traverse inhospitable territories may have played a crucial role in their evolutionary success during the Triassic, leading to the eventual rise of dinosaurs.
Professor Michael Benton, senior author from the University of Bristol, emphasized the importance of integrating fossil evidence with reconstructed ancient landscapes. He remarked, "The evolution of life has been controlled at times by the environment, but it is difficult to integrate our limited and uncertain knowledge about the ancient landscape with our limited and uncertain knowledge about the ecology of extinct organisms. However, by combining the fossils with reconstructed maps of the ancient world in the context of evolutionary trees, we provide a way of overcoming these challenges."
This study not only enhances our understanding of the ecological dynamics during the Triassic period but also raises questions about the adaptability of life in extreme conditions. Further research could illuminate additional aspects of prehistoric life and the environmental factors that influenced evolutionary trajectories.
The findings of this research provide a significant contribution to the field of paleontology, offering a fresh perspective on the resilience and adaptability of life in the face of catastrophic environmental changes. As scientists continue to unravel the complexities of ancient ecosystems, the story of these archosauromorphs serves as a testament to the enduring nature of life on Earth, even amidst the most severe challenges.
For further details, refer to the study: Flannery-Sutherland, J., & Benton, M. (2025). Landscape-explicit phylogeography illuminates the ecographic radiation of early archosauromorph reptiles. *Nature Ecology & Evolution*. DOI: 10.1038/s41559-025-02739-y.
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