Scientists Uncover 95-Million-Year-Old Legged Snake Skull in Argentina

Recent paleontological discoveries are reshaping our understanding of reptile evolution. The exceptionally preserved skull of Najash rionegrina, a terrestrial legged snake from 95 million years ago found in Argentina, reveals a mix of lizard and snake features and indicates snakes may have evolved on land rather than in the ocean. In Niger, fossils including dinosaur replicas highlight the rich prehistoric biodiversity of the Sahel region, emphasizing the challenge of preserving such rare remains. A new species of early neotheropod dinosaur, Newtonsaurus cambrensis, was identified through 3D digital reconstruction of a jaw fossil from the latest Triassic period in South Wales, offering insights into the early evolution of theropods. Additionally, the discovery of Agriodontosaurus helsbypetrae, the oldest known lizard relative from the Triassic of southern England, pushes back the timeline for lepidosaur evolution and provides crucial information about the ancestral skull structure of this group. Together, these findings expand knowledge of ancient reptiles and their evolutionary pathways across different regions and time periods.