Two Fossils From Different Museums Turned Out To Be Halves Of The Same New Animal Species

Scientists have united two tiles stored in different museums and found out that these are two halves of the same animal – a representative of a previously unknown species of ancient beak-headed reptiles (Rhynchocephalia)The new species was named Sphenodraco climbing. This lizard climbed trees during the Late Jurassic period (from about 161.5 to 143.1 million years ago), reports Earth.com. Scientific article published in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.

One tile is kept in Frankfurt and preserves the outline of the body, the other is in London and contains most of the bones.

Sphenodraco characterized by long limbs, a short body and elongated finger bones, indicating a specialization for climbing trees. The teeth were set at a slight angle, and the pelvis had an almost square socket, which distinguished it from similar fossils from the period. Computer analysis showed that the ratio of limb length to body length corresponds to modern climbing lizards. The ancient one, in all likelihood, could move along narrow supports and vertical surfaces.

The find was probably divided up and sold separately in the 1930s. Comparison of stone textures, fracture lines and small details allowed us to restore the integrity of the skeleton and correct the old erroneous classification.

The limestones of Solnhofen (Germany), where the remains were found, are famous for their exceptional preservation of Late Jurassic organisms. At the end of the Jurassic period, this territory was an archipelago of many small islands.

Today, only two species of beak-headed reptiles live – both of them belong to the genus Hatteria, but in the Mesozoic they occupied marine, terrestrial and semi-arboreal niches.

The study demonstrates the importance of studying museum collections. The discovery of a tree lizard among Jurassic beakheads expands our understanding of small reptile life in Mesozoic island forests.

Subscribe and read “Science” in

Telegram