A new species of extinct crocodile relative, Benggwigwishingasuchus eremicarminis, has been discovered in Nevada, USA. The species reveals that pseudosuchian archosaurs ruled the shores across the Middle Triassic globe between 247.2 and 237 million years ago.
A 246 million-year-old nothosaur vertebra was discovered on New Zealand's South Island, shedding new light on early sea reptiles from the Southern Hemisphere. The find reveals that these marine reptiles originated near the equator and rapidly spread to other regions, challenging long-standing hypotheses about their migration patterns.
Researchers have identified the remains of a local prehistoric marine reptile as belonging to a thalattosaur, a large sea-lizard that behaved like an otter. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about its identity and provides new insights into the animal's diet and behavior.
A team from the University of Bristol has made a significant discovery at Lavernock Point, revealing early Welsh dinosaurs lived on a tropical lowland beside the sea. The fossils found include those of placodonts, coelacanths, and dinosaur remains, providing insights into the evolutionary history of these species.
A study using crowd-sourced data from iNaturalist found that slugs and snails are more common in urban areas than other native species. In contrast, butterflies and moths were the least tolerant of urban environments. The analysis provides valuable insights for city planners to increase urban biodiversity.
A newly described species of ichthyosaur, named Ichthyotitan severnensis, is believed to be the largest known marine reptile, with estimates suggesting it could have reached up to 82 feet in length. The discovery was made from fossilized jawbone fragments found in Somerset, UK.
A study found that early Mesozoic animals, including dinosaurs, grew quickly around 230 million years ago. This feature is not unique to dinosaurs but was shared by several non-dinosaur reptiles as well.
Scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research observed spotted hyenas chasing and devouring flying birds at a waterhole in Namibia. They found that a single hyena can catch one bird every three minutes, adding to the known variety of their diet and hunting tactics.
Two Micrurus mipartitus coral snakes have been observed battling for a caecilian in the dense rainforests of western Colombia, showcasing a rare example of kleptoparasitism among Elapidae family members. The study highlights the elusive nature of these reptiles and challenges of observing them in their natural habitats.
A recent study reveals that sandy soil reptiles are more vulnerable to extinction and habitat loss due to climate change. The research analyzed occurrence records for ten species of lizard and snake adapted to sandy habitats in South America's dry regions.
A groundbreaking study has uncovered a wealth of previously undocumented biodiversity in southern Africa's South East Africa Montane Archipelago. The research documents over 200 endemic species, including plants, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and freshwater crabs.
Researchers at Curtin University have discovered a new potential predator for the endangered western spiny-tailed skink, raising concerns about the susceptibility of similar-sized juvenile lizards. The spotted mulga snake's consumption of a pygmy spiny-tailed skink suggests that these snakes may also prey on vulnerable juveniles.
The study reveals that a limited number of exceptional fossil preservation sites can significantly impact the global availability of phylogenetic data. This distortion can affect our understanding of bird, scaly reptile, and dinosaur evolution.
The first dinosaurs were faster and more dynamic than their competitors, maintaining a wider range of running styles. This adaptability allowed them to diversify and thrive after the end-Triassic mass extinction, leading to their success on Earth for so long.
A new species of pterosaur from the Middle Jurassic of Scotland expands our understanding of its evolution. The discovery sheds light on the early diversification of flying reptiles, with Ceoptera evansae showcasing a significant period of evolution and distribution.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered a 200-million-year-old flying reptile, Kuehneosaurs, in Somerset. These small animals had gliding wings made from skin stretched over their side ribs and likely fed on insects.
Researchers have identified a 3D fragment of fossilized skin that is at least 21 million years older than previously described skin fossils. The ancient skin shares features with reptiles alive today, highlighting the importance of epidermis for survival in terrestrial environments.
A newly described mosasaur, the Wakayama Soryu (blue dragon), had a distinctive shark-like dorsal fin and massive flippers that defied classification. The specimen, discovered in Japan, is the most complete mosasaur skeleton found in the country, with features that challenge current understanding of its swimming abilities.
A research paper reveals a suburban backyard is home to 1,150 unique species of animals, plants, and fungi. The study's authors discovered unexpected diversity, including 436 moth and butterfly species, 56 spiders, and eight reptiles.
A new study from McGill University and international collaborators investigates the role of temperature in determining animal species' current and potential habitats. The research reveals that temperature is less directly limiting for land animals like reptiles, amphibians, and insects than previously thought.
A team of palaeontologists has identified the oldest-known mega-predatory pliosaur, Lorrainosaurus, from 170-million-year-old fossils found in north-eastern France. The discovery reveals a new understanding of marine reptile evolution and ecosystem shifts during the Early-to-Middle Jurassic boundary.
A new study by UTA researchers found that vertebrate population declines are five times slower in conservation areas compared to those outside protected lands. Conservation areas help stabilize amphibian and bird populations, while also having a positive impact on reptiles in countries with good governance.
Researchers discovered that pachypleurosaur species doubled their neck lengths by adding new vertebrae, reaching lengths of up to five times the length of their trunk. This rapid growth occurred over a period of 5 million years in response to changing marine environments.
A team of researchers compared the development of blood vessels in various animals, including mice, quails, and fish, to understand the origins of the human heart. They found that the structure of the human coronary arteries likely evolved from a common amniote ancestor, adapting to life on land.
A study of 379 cities across 6 continents found that city-dwelling organisms have evolved smaller body sizes, diverse diets, and changes in reproduction and foraging strategies. The 'urban trait syndrome' affects different species groups, such as birds, beetles, and reptiles, with varying levels of mobility and dietary adaptations.
A team of researchers from China and the UK has discovered that a group of ancient marine reptiles used whale-like filter feeding methods 250 million years ago. The Hupehsuchus skull shows adaptations similar to baleen whales, including grooves and notches along the jaws.
The study established a broad range of reptile cell lines, including those from crocodilians, snakes, turtles, tortoises, and lizards. This breakthrough will help advance reptile conservation and replace the need for live animals in scientific research, leading to improved animal welfare.
A new species of armored reptile, Mambachiton, shows that the precursor to dinosaurs and pterosaurs had bony plates on its backbone, indicating that armor was ancestrally present in bird-line archosaurs. The loss and re-evolution of armor is an important aspect of dinosaur evolution.
A new study reveals that reptiles demonstrate spontaneous associations between visual and auditory information, including tortoises associating low sounds with large shapes and high pitch sounds with small shapes. This discovery shows how brains are prepared to predict visuo-acoustic correspondences likely to occur in the natural world.
New research by University College Cork scientists finds that pterosaurs had nurturing parental style but only in larger species. The study suggests that smaller pterosaurs did not practice parental care due to the limitations of egg size.
Researchers found that the annulated sea snake possesses four intact copies of the opsin gene SWS1, two with ancestral ultraviolet sensitivity and two with evolved sensitivity to longer wavelengths. This suggests that sea snakes have regained color discrimination to distinguish predators, prey, and mates in their marine habitats.
UK schoolchildren aged 7-11 drew mammals and birds most commonly, with reptiles and amphibians appearing less frequently. The study suggests children's perceptions of local wildlife are skewed towards mammals and birds, hinting at a wider problem of nature disconnect.
A research team led by the Bureau of Land Management and University of North Florida faculty member Dr. Barry Albright has discovered a 94-million-year-old mosasaur fossil in southern Utah. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution of ancient marine reptiles, including their unique cranial blood supply.
Fossil evidence confirms that long-necked marine reptiles like Tanystropheus were vulnerable to predation. Researchers found bite marks on two specimens with severed necks, suggesting they were decapitated during a violent event.
Researchers from Nanjing University and University of Bristol found that early reptiles, birds, and mammals may have borne live young, contrary to the long-held assumption that hard-shelled eggs were key to their success. Extended embryo retention was likely a crucial adaptation that allowed these animals to thrive on land.
Researchers have confirmed that 107-million-year-old pterosaur bones are the oldest found in Australia, providing insights into these flying reptiles' lives among dinosaurs. The fossils belonged to two different individuals, including a juvenile pterosaur and a larger species with a wingspan over two metres.
Researchers have found that spiny mice possess bony plates called osteoderms in their tails, a feature previously thought to be exclusive to armadillos. The discovery reveals that osteoderms can emerge and disappear multiple times in vertebrates throughout evolution.
A new study published in Palaeontology sheds light on the swimming styles of Mesozoic marine reptiles, finding a gradual diversification of locomotory modes that peaked in the Cretaceous period. The research also explores the evolution of body size, with the widest spread occurring during this time.
A review of scientific literature on reptiles between 1960 and 2021 found that 15% of articles focused on only ten species, with fewer than ten studies published on 90.5% of all species. The authors attribute this bias to factors such as habitat, size, danger of extinction, and proximity to research institutions.
A new study reveals that theropod dinosaurs had their large teeth completely covered by thin, scaly 'lips' when their mouths were closed. This finding challenges long-held depictions of these iconic predators and could have significant implications for our understanding of dinosaur dental anatomy and biomechanics.
A team of Swedish and Norwegian palaeontologists has discovered remains of the earliest known ichthyosaur on the remote Arctic island of Spitsbergen. The discovery pushes back the origin and early diversification of ichthyosaurs to before the beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs.
A University of Texas at Austin paleobiologist's new examination reveals the serious impact of reptile extinctions on island ecosystems. The study found that smaller islands lack a buffer when losing reptile species, leading to reduced ecosystem stability and increased vulnerability to collapse.
Researchers at McGill University have identified a crucial gene (tfec) controlling reptile pigmentation and specifically the classic piebald trait. By combining whole-genome sequencing, gene-editing, and electron microscopy, they found that this mutation affects color-producing cells in reptiles.
A new biography of Mary Anning, written by George Roberts in the final years of her life, has been published for the first time. The manuscript reveals details of her discoveries of fossil reptiles, including ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs, as well as her struggles with breast cancer.
A team of scientists found evidence that 37 ichthyosaurs died in the same location, suggesting they were migrating to give birth over hundreds of thousands of years. Geochemical tests revealed no signs of environmental disturbance or mass stranding events, pointing to a more plausible explanation for their demise.
Researchers analyzed fossil bed in Nevada's Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park to determine cause of mass extinction. They found evidence that ichthyosaurs died due to migration, not mass stranding or environmental toxins.
Early dinosaurs showed diversity in diets, with plant-eaters starting as omnivores and meat-eaters appearing later. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary success of these ancient creatures.
Fossils of Whatcheeria, a six-foot-long lake-dwelling creature, revealed that it grew big by front-loading its growth in its youth. Contrary to the slow-and-steady growth pattern seen in many modern reptiles and amphibians, Whatcheeria's rapid growth as a juvenile provided a competitive advantage as a top predator.
A study reveals that the evolution of green lizards in the Mediterranean was shaped by biogeographical episodes of long-distance dispersal and ecological niche conservatism. The research combines high-temporal resolution models to assess the importance of dispersal and vicariance in determining historical range dynamics.
A new study identifies Scleromochlus taylori as an early relative of pterosaurs, shedding light on the evolution of flying reptiles. The discovery uses CT scans to provide detailed reconstructions of the fossil, confirming its link to lagerpetids and supporting the hypothesis that flying reptiles evolved from small, bipedal ancestors.
A team of scientists generated a molecular atlas of the Australian bearded dragon's brain, comparing it to mouse data. The findings suggest that both reptilian and mammalian brains evolved clade-specific neuron types from a common ancestral set, challenging popular views on brain evolution.
A recent study published in Paleobiology found that early cetaceans and mosasaurs shared similar morphology and behavior, suggesting convergent evolution. This research provides insights into the physical characteristics necessary for large marine predators to evolve optimally.
Researchers used single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to investigate cell type evolution in reptiles and amphibians, revealing diverse cell types and regions that evolved independently. The studies also highlighted the importance of data sharing and the power of accumulating single-cell data from multiple species for evolutionary co...
Researchers have discovered a massive new mosasaur species from Morocco, named Thalassotitan atrox, which filled the apex predator niche. The giant mosasaur had massive jaws and teeth like those of killer whales and hunted other marine reptiles.
Harvard researchers found that rapid evolution of reptiles began much earlier than previously thought, connected to increasing temperatures. The study used a dataset of over 1,000 fossil specimens and analyzed their adaptation to climatic shifts.
A new Harvard-led study reveals that rising global temperatures caused the explosive evolution of early reptiles, challenging previous explanations. The research suggests climate change triggered morphological changes in reptile groups, including those that gave rise to crocodiles and dinosaurs.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that amphibian and reptile invasions cost the global economy at least $17.0 billion between 1986 and 2020. The majority of costs were attributed to American bullfrog and brown tree snake invasions, highlighting the need for effective policies to limit future invasions.
Scientists have discovered small plesiosaurs fossilized in a 100-million-year-old river system, suggesting some species may have lived in freshwater. The findings indicate that plesiosaurs were adapted to tolerate freshwater and possibly spent their lives there, like modern river dolphins.
Dinosaurs had high metabolic rates, suggesting they were endotherms, which allowed them to regulate their body temperature. This finding refutes previous ideas that dinosaurs were intermediate between ectotherms and endotherms.
A new study reveals that Triassic dinosaur species endured freezing conditions due to their well-developed feathers. This adaptation allowed them to thrive in colder climates, while other reptiles perished. The discovery sheds light on the ecological rise of dinosaurs after the Triassic-Jurassic Extinction.