A NEWLEY identified species of prehistoric crocodile has been named in honour of an “inspirational” teacher by the scientist who discovered it.
Ewan Bodenham, 29, chose to name the Triassic-era reptile after his former physics teacher, David Rhys Jones, from Cardigan, Ceredigion.
The crocodylomorph lived around 215 million years ago and is thought to have been a fast, land-dwelling predator, earning comparisons to a “reptilian greyhound”. It has been officially designated Galahadosuchus jonesi. The genus name references the Arthurian knight Galahad, famed for his upright morality—a nod to the animal’s upright stance—while the species name honours Jones.
Bodenham, now a PhD student at UCL and the Natural History Museum in London, had originally planned to surprise Jones with the announcement at a school assembly at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi. However, the scientific paper describing the discovery was published earlier than expected, forcing him to break the news via a video call instead.
“The first chapter of my thesis is naming a new species of fossil crocodile, and I’m naming it after you,” Bodenham told his former teacher.
“Good God, what an honour. What a privilege,” Jones replied. “That’s very, very kind of you to remember me.”
“Honestly, you were such an inspiration in school,” Bodenham said. “I’m welling up a bit.”
“Hang on—I still am, I’m still here!” Jones joked.
The fossil examined by Bodenham was originally discovered in Gloucestershire in 1969 but had remained in the Natural History Museum’s collection for decades before being studied in detail. The geological deposits where it was found stretch across south Wales and south-west England.
Jones’s influence played a pivotal role in shaping Bodenham’s academic journey, even though he ultimately chose biology over physics—a subject Jones jokingly refers to as a “softer science”.
“Mr Jones was such a good teacher, not just in explaining things clearly, but because he genuinely cared about science. That inspired me,” Bodenham said. “He also challenged students to do their best. Above all, he’s funny, genuine, and a really nice guy. He encouraged me to go to London for university, having studied at UCL himself.”
Bodenham said the decision to name the species after Jones had been warmly received by both his former teacher and the wider community. He added that other potential candidates, including family members and his girlfriend, had not been upset by the choice.
“It’s been a very positive response. He’s also received lots of messages from people; he’s well liked in the school and community,” Bodenham said.
How Was the New Species Identified?
Bodenham said his interest in crocodylomorphs began unexpectedly.
“I joined a PhD programme and my supervisor had this as a project outline, so I took it from there. I wasn’t obsessed with crocs as a child—they’re just a great group for the kinds of questions I like to study.”
The team initially compared the fossil with Terrestrisuchus, another early crocodylomorph known for its long legs and fully terrestrial lifestyle.
“My PhD looks at the evolutionary relationships of these early crocodiles,” Bodenham explained. “We conducted a detailed anatomical study of this specimen, comparing it with other early crocodiles to see if it was a known species or something new.”
The researchers identified 13 key differences in the fossil, enough to classify it as an entirely new species.
Bodenham’s discovery adds to the growing understanding of animal diversity in the region during the Late Triassic, before the Triassic–Jurassic mass extinction, which was triggered by volcanic activity and climate shifts.
