James Harden posted an update in the group
Animal 5 months, 1 week agoU.K Scientists Found The Oldest Known Lepidosaur (Lizard Relative) In Devon, England. The Palm-Sized Agriodontosaurus Helsbypetrae Lived ~242 Myr Ago In The Middle Triassic. Synchrotron CT Scans Revealed An Insect-Eating Predator With Large Triangular Blade-Like Teeth And Unique Skull Features, Extending The Lepidosaur Record By 3–7 Myrs.
242-million-year-old mini predator changes lizard evolution | ScienceDailyA tiny 242-million-year-old fossil from Devon is shaking up scientists’ assumptions about the earliest members of the lizard lineage. Instead of the expected skull hinges and palate teeth typical of modern lizards and snakes, this ancient creature shows a surprising mix of primitive and unusual traits—along with strikingly large, blade-like teeth. High-resolution synchrotron scans revealed details invisible to the naked eye, helping researchers name the new species Agriodontosaurus helsbypetrae and rethink the origins of lepidosaurs, the diverse group that now includes more than 12,000 species.





