US Edition167-Million-Year-Old Fossil Challenges Snake Evolution Theories
Breugnathair elgolensis, a 167-million-year-old fossil, combines snake-like jaws and lizard limbs, challenging previous views on early snake and lizard evolution, researchers say.
- A new species of Jurassic reptile, named Breugnathair elgolensis, was discovered by an international team including National Museums Scotland on the Isle of Skye.
- Breugnathair elgolensis had snake-like jaws and teeth but retained limbs typical of lizards, suggesting it is related to parviraptorids.
- Dr Roger Benson noted that the discovery may change our understanding of snake evolution as it displays both primitive and specialized features.
- Dr Stig Walsh emphasized that the fossil is a significant addition to the record, enhancing knowledge of the evolution of lizards and snakes.
53 Articles
53 Articles
New dinosaur species is found in Britain as researchers hail 'remarkable' discovery
A new species of Jurassic reptile has been discovered in Scotland thanks to a fossil recently studied. The ancient ancestor of lizards and snakes was found on the Isle of Skye and is thought to have lived around 167 million years ago. An international team of scientists, including researchers from National Museums Scotland (NMS), gave the species the Gaelic name Breugnathair elgolensis, meaning "false snake of Elgol" in reference to the area of …
Ancient Snake-Lizard Hybrid creature Discovered in Scotland
Scientists have discovered a 167-million-year-old reptile on Scotland’s Isle of Skye that appears to be a lizard and snake hybrid. Credit: Neil Howard – CC BY-NC 2.0 via Flickr. Scientists have discovered a 167-million-year-old reptile on Scotland’s Isle of Skye that appears to be a lizard and snake hybrid. Researchers say the discovery sheds new light on early squamate evolution and offers new clues about how snakes may have originated. The new…
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