Story perspectives
Ancient Lizard Fossil Reshapes Reptile Evolution Theories
9/16/2025
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Story summary
- Scientists discovered a 242-million-year-old lizard species, Agriodontosaurus helsbypetrae, in Devon, England, challenging current theories on lepidosaur evolution.
- This fossil, the oldest known lepidosaur, features an unhinged skull and large, triangular teeth, indicating different feeding mechanisms than modern relatives.
- Advanced synchrotron CT scans revealed critical anatomical details, prompting a reevaluation of evolutionary relationships among reptiles.
- The find offers insights into early reptile diversity prior to the age of dinosaurs.
