Story perspectives

Ancient Fossil Reveals Surprising Lizard Evolution Insights

9/10/2025

32 2

Summary

Story summary

A 242-million-year-old fossil, Agriodontosaurus helsbypetrae, discovered in Devon, England, challenges prior views on lizard evolution.
This reptile lacks features like roof teeth and a hinged skull, indicating a unique evolutionary trajectory.
As the oldest known lepidosaur, it predates other species by up to seven million years.
Its large teeth suggest a diet of large insects, previously undocumented in Triassic lepidosaurs.
Advanced CT scans provided detailed insights into early lepidosaur anatomy, published in Nature.

1 of 1

Story summary

A 242-million-year-old fossil, Agriodontosaurus helsbypetrae, discovered in Devon, England, challenges prior views on lizard evolution.
This reptile lacks features like roof teeth and a hinged skull, indicating a unique evolutionary trajectory.
As the oldest known lepidosaur, it predates other species by up to seven million years.
Its large teeth suggest a diet of large insects, previously undocumented in Triassic lepidosaurs.
Advanced CT scans provided detailed insights into early lepidosaur anatomy, published in Nature.