News
September 15, 2025
Oldest known lizard ancestor discovered in England
Scientists announced Wednesday they have discovered the oldest-known member of the lizard family in southwest England, a tiny creature that used its surprisingly large teeth to hunt cockroaches 242 million years ago.
**Oldest Known Lizard Ancestor Discovered in England**
A groundbreaking discovery in southwest England is rewriting the history books for lizards. Scientists announced Wednesday the unearthing of the oldest known ancestor of lizards, a tiny but formidable predator that roamed the Earth a staggering 242 million years ago. This ancient reptile, whose formal scientific name has yet to be released, provides invaluable insights into the early evolution of one of the most diverse and successful groups of animals on the planet.
The fossil, meticulously excavated from a site known for its rich paleontological finds, reveals a creature far different from the sleek, sun-basking lizards we see today. While small in size, the ancient lizard possessed an impressive set of teeth, relatively large for its body. This dental weaponry wasn't designed for grazing on plants; instead, it points towards a carnivorous diet focused on insects, specifically cockroaches. Imagine, millions of years before dinosaurs dominated the landscape, this tiny lizard was already stalking and devouring prehistoric cockroaches!
The significance of this discovery lies in its age and the clarity of the fossil. Previous lizard-like fossils have been fragmented or their classification debated. This new find, however, offers a clear and well-preserved specimen, allowing scientists to definitively place it at the very base of the lizard family tree. It pushes back the known origins of lizards significantly, providing a crucial missing link in understanding their evolutionary journey.
Researchers believe the discovery will help them understand how lizards developed their diverse range of adaptations, from their specialized tongues to their remarkable ability to shed their tails. By studying this ancient ancestor, they hope to unlock secrets about the evolutionary pressures that shaped the lizards we know and love today. The find also sheds light on the ecosystem of southwest England during the Triassic period, painting a picture of a world teeming with life, even as the planet was recovering from a major extinction event. The team plans further analysis of the fossil to glean even more information about its anatomy, diet, and place in the grand tapestry of life on Earth. This remarkable find promises to keep paleontologists busy for years to come, as they continue to unravel the mysteries of our planet's distant past.
A groundbreaking discovery in southwest England is rewriting the history books for lizards. Scientists announced Wednesday the unearthing of the oldest known ancestor of lizards, a tiny but formidable predator that roamed the Earth a staggering 242 million years ago. This ancient reptile, whose formal scientific name has yet to be released, provides invaluable insights into the early evolution of one of the most diverse and successful groups of animals on the planet.
The fossil, meticulously excavated from a site known for its rich paleontological finds, reveals a creature far different from the sleek, sun-basking lizards we see today. While small in size, the ancient lizard possessed an impressive set of teeth, relatively large for its body. This dental weaponry wasn't designed for grazing on plants; instead, it points towards a carnivorous diet focused on insects, specifically cockroaches. Imagine, millions of years before dinosaurs dominated the landscape, this tiny lizard was already stalking and devouring prehistoric cockroaches!
The significance of this discovery lies in its age and the clarity of the fossil. Previous lizard-like fossils have been fragmented or their classification debated. This new find, however, offers a clear and well-preserved specimen, allowing scientists to definitively place it at the very base of the lizard family tree. It pushes back the known origins of lizards significantly, providing a crucial missing link in understanding their evolutionary journey.
Researchers believe the discovery will help them understand how lizards developed their diverse range of adaptations, from their specialized tongues to their remarkable ability to shed their tails. By studying this ancient ancestor, they hope to unlock secrets about the evolutionary pressures that shaped the lizards we know and love today. The find also sheds light on the ecosystem of southwest England during the Triassic period, painting a picture of a world teeming with life, even as the planet was recovering from a major extinction event. The team plans further analysis of the fossil to glean even more information about its anatomy, diet, and place in the grand tapestry of life on Earth. This remarkable find promises to keep paleontologists busy for years to come, as they continue to unravel the mysteries of our planet's distant past.
Category:
Technology