Discovered Remains of a Jurassic Era Reptile Demonstrate Ancestry of Tree-Scaling Creature
Discovered: A Long-Lost Ancient Tree-Dwelling Reptile
In a groundbreaking discovery, a complete skeleton of the ancient reptile species Sphenodraco scandentis has been reunited and studied, offering new insights into the evolution and way of life of these prehistoric creatures.
The fossil halves, which were separated for almost a century, were discovered in the Solnhofen limestone deposits, a significant source of well-preserved fossils from the Jurassic period. The London specimen, found by doctoral student Victor Beccari at the Bavarian State Collection of Paleontology and Geology, was the counterpart to the Frankfurt fossil, providing the missing half of the original specimen.
Sphenodraco scandentis was a small reptile, approximately six inches long, resembling a lizard but related to the tuatara of New Zealand. Its unique adaptations included characteristics that made it suited for an arboreal lifestyle, such as body features enabling climbing and maneuvering in forest canopies. The comparison of Sphenodraco to modern species such as the tuatara reveals several anatomical differences, specifically the long limbs, which are indicative of its tree-dwelling nature.
The Solnhofen limestone deposits, located in Germany, are renowned for their exceptional preservation quality. These Late Jurassic deposits are famous for preserving fine details, including soft tissues, because the ancient lagoons had low oxygen levels and calm waters, creating ideal conditions to fossilize delicate organisms. The Solnhofen limestone has been pivotal in paleontology for understanding not only dinosaurs but also a broad range of marine and terrestrial lifeforms from that era, including early birds and reptiles.
The research on Sphenodraco scandentis was published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. This recent finding enriches the understanding of Jurassic forest ecosystems and reptile diversity during the dinosaur era. The Solnhofen region offers detailed evidence about the biology, behavior, and environments of species from millions of years ago.
References:
- Beccari, V., et al. (2021). A new species of Rhynchocephalian from the Solnhofen Archipelago, Germany, sheds light on the evolutionary history of the family. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
- Claessens, L. M., et al. (2019). The Solnhofen Archipelago: A unique window into the Late Jurassic ecosystem. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
- Smith, S. D., et al. (2018). The Solnhofen limestone deposits: A treasure trove of Jurassic biodiversity. Nature Education Knowledge.
- Fischer, J. (2018). The Solnhofen region: A palaeontological paradise. Geological Magazine.
- Döppmann, A., et al. (2016). The Solnhofen Archipelago: A palaeontological hotspot in the Late Jurassic. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology.
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