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.
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 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.
A new study suggests that dinosaurs were well adapted to cold temperatures and survived a mass extinction event caused by massive volcanic eruptions. The research found evidence of dinosaur footprints and pebbles in lake sediments at high latitudes, indicating that they thrived in conditions where other reptiles died.
A comprehensive study reveals that turtles, crocodilians, and salamanders have low aging rates and extended lifespans. Protective phenotypes like hard shells contribute to slower aging, with some species experiencing 'negligible aging' or lack of demographic aging.
Non-traditional pets like rodents, poultry, and reptiles can carry zoonotic pathogens that spread between animals and people. The study highlights the importance of preventing transmission through risk factors such as direct or indirect contact with infected animals.
After the Permian mass extinction, life on land and in oceans experienced a 'Triassic revolution' with rapid adaptation and evolution of animals. Animals grew back faster and smarter, with predators becoming meaner and prey adapting new survival strategies.
The first international study of its kind assesses the status of all reptile species, revealing that at least 2,000 species are threatened with extinction. The study found that 50% of turtle and crocodile species face extinction threats, while 30% of forest-dwelling reptiles and 14% of arid area reptiles are in danger.
A study by researchers at the University Liège has unravelled the evolution of mosasaurs in the late Cretaceous, revealing a decline in morphological diversity and ecological innovations in certain regions. The research uses high-resolution 3D scans of mosasaur skulls to draw precise conclusions about their hunting and movement abilities.
A new machine learning tool assesses extinction risk for reptiles with limited data, revealing a higher number of threatened species than previously estimated. The study highlights the need for increased conservation efforts in regions such as Australia, Madagascar, and the Amazon basin.
New research reveals that squamates evolved in the Jurassic period, between 201 and 145 Myr., with key adaptations emerging earlier than previously thought. This finding challenges current estimates and sheds light on the group's diversity and success.
Researchers at Gauhati University studied roadkill on a 64-kilometer stretch of National Highway 715 in India's Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape. They found dramatic mortality rates among frogs, toads, snakes, and lizards, with over 6000 animals killed annually.
Research suggests that ecotourists' sugar-fed wildlife interactions are causing northern Bahamian rock iguanas to develop high blood sugar levels. The study found that iguanas on islands frequently visited by tourists had higher glucose peaks and difficulty regulating their blood sugar.
A study has discovered that humans are disrupting a fundamental pattern in ecosystems, which dates back at least 66 million years. The U-shaped relationship between diet and size in modern land mammals has been found to span across multiple vertebrate groups, including birds, reptiles, and fish.
Scientists have discovered two complete ichthyosaur specimens from the Solnhofen area, preserving outer body shape and skin. The fossils, dated to around 150 million years old, provide new insights into the anatomy of these marine reptiles.
A new large early ichthyosauromorph, Baisesaurus robustus, has been discovered in the Lower Triassic rocks of Zhebao, Guangxi Province, extending its geographic distribution. The fossil is estimated to be around 3m long and shares similarities with Utatsusaurus from Japan.
Researchers discovered that boa constrictors adjust which section of the rib cage they use to inhale depending on whether they are resting, throttling an animal or digesting. The sinuous reptiles use different sections of the rib cage to breathe when their ribs are constricted.
A comprehensive analysis of brain cellular composition across amniotes shows that mammals and birds have dramatically increased neuron numbers in the telencephalon and cerebellum, associated with higher cognition. The study suggests that only a handful of unique evolutionary events augmented brain processing power in these groups.
Researchers at Lund University have created a scientifically accurate reconstruction of an ichthyosaur, a prehistoric marine reptile that lived for 160 million years. The team used clay sculpturing and 3D printing techniques to create the life-size model, which is now on public display.
The Chicxulub asteroid's impact, occurring in spring, marked the demise of non-avian dinosaurs and most marine reptiles. The fossilized fish bones revealed seasonal growth patterns and feeding habits that point to a catastrophic extinction event.
A new study by Emory University found that international trade bans on endangered species generally benefit mammals but harm reptiles. The researchers discovered large spikes in legal trade for reptilian species before bans were implemented, which may explain the differential impact of the bans.
A newly discovered species of giant ichthyosaur, the earliest known, has been found in Nevada, shedding new light on the rapid growth of marine reptiles. The discovery, dated to 246 million years ago, is significant as it provides insights into the evolution of whales and dolphins.
A team of researchers proposes that endothermy in mammals and birds has a common ancestry and is much older than previously accepted. They found evidence of endothermy in early ancestors of modern birds and mammals, including Pelycosaurs and Pareiasaurs.
Researchers discovered that mammals developed protruding, flexible noses from reptilian jaws through cellular studies and fossil analysis. This finding explains the origin of mammals' strong sense of smell and provides potential new animal models for studying facial development disorders like cleft palate.
Researchers shed light on the evolution of mammalian tusks by tracing them back to ancient mammal relatives called dicynodonts. Dicynodonts had protruding tusks in their upper jaws, but they were not always true tusks – instead, some had enamel-coated teeth that did not fit the definition.
Researchers found fish, reptiles, and mammals made up the jaguar's diet, with aquatic prey providing energy to burn or play. The high density of jaguars was attributed to abundant aquatic subsidies in the region.
Researchers discovered a two-cell color detection system in lampreys, which they propose could be the evolutionary ancestor of single-cell systems in fish and reptiles. The study found that this ancient system produces similar responses to UV and visible light as modern single-cell systems.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals a surprising diversity of Cretaceous reptiles at an Argentina fossil site. The research expands the known diversity of reptiles at the Cerro Fortaleza locality, which previously only preserved skeletal remains of giant sauropods.
Research reveals cichlids exhibit highly dynamic sex chromosomes, transitioning between XY and ZW systems. Genome analysis identified over 70 species with distinct sex-determining genes.
A team of researchers led by Harvard University's Tiago R. Simões has identified a new species of fossil reptile from 231 million years ago, providing key evidence on the early evolutionary history of lizards and snakes. The discovery sheds light on the migration patterns of ancient reptiles across continents.
A new fossil species, Taytalura alcoberi, has been discovered in Argentina's Late Triassic deposits. The 3D-preserved fossil provides insights into the early evolution of lepidosaurs, with its skull revealing a unique sphenodontian body type and dentition that differ from living or extinct groups.
A well-preserved tapejarid skeleton from Brazil provides the first complete look at the entire body of Tupandactylus navigans, a flying reptile with a mix of terrestrial and aerial adaptations. The fossil's exceptional preservation reveals new details about its anatomy and potential flight capabilities.
A study by University of Adelaide researchers found that unregulated reptile trade in the US drives demand for illegal reptiles in Australia. Three reptile families had the highest probability of being smuggled, with species listed in CITES Appendices I having a higher smuggling probability
Smithsonian scientists discovered shark denticles on fossil- and modern coral reefs, revealing changing shark roles over 7000 years. Shark populations declined due to human hunting and habitat loss, impacting ecosystem balance.
A genetic analysis of leopard geckos has identified a cancer gene linked to skin tumors, shedding light on the animals' unique coloration patterns. The study, published in PLOS Genetics, suggests that the geckos' bright colors may be caused by an error in the gene, leading to overproduction of white skin cells and reflective crystals.
A recent study by Hebrew University researchers identified molecular factors that allow birds to fly, differing from mammals and reptiles. The ephrin-B3 molecule plays a crucial role in coordinating wing movement, enabling birds to flap and take flight.
Researchers have discovered that embryos across various animal groups rely on acoustic signals to inform their development and adapt to environmental conditions. This phenomenon, known as acoustic developmental programming, suggests that sound plays a crucial role in shaping the lives of animals from the moment of birth.
A study of 43,000 reptile bone remains found that European colonization led to mass extinctions of 50-70% of snakes and lizards on the Guadeloupe Islands. The Indigenous populations had no impact on local reptile diversity.
New research reveals that dinosaurs kept a joint in their lower jaw steady like an alligator, not flexible like a snake, to chomp through bone. The study's findings suggest that bones along the inside of the jaw acted as a strain sink to counteract bending at the intramandibular joint.
A new study confirms the island rule, showing that insular gigantism and dwarfism are generalized patterns across vertebrates. The effects are more pronounced in smaller, remote islands for mammals and reptiles.
Researchers discovered spoked vertebrae in azhdarchid pterosaurs that supported their long necks, enabling them to fly with heavy prey. The internal structure was found to be helically arranged like bicycle wheel spokes.
Researchers found that the genetic foundation required for oral venom to evolve is present in both reptiles and mammals. Salivary gland tissues in mammals display a similar pattern of gene activity as snake venom glands, suggesting an ancient functional core shared since the two lineages split hundreds of millions of years ago.
A silent killer, Enterococcus lacertideformus, has been discovered as the cause of mysterious deaths in native reptile populations on Christmas Island. The bacterium grows in the animal's head and internal organs, causing death through direct contact or biting, highlighting the need for targeted antibiotic trials.
A new Harvard-led study challenges the classic lateral-to-sagittal shift in mammal spine evolution, suggesting a completely different type of backbone function. The research found that nonmammalian synapsids had unique spinal characteristics not seen in modern reptiles or mammals.
A study of prehistoric teeth sheds new light on the diets of ancient lizards and snakes, revealing they already had a full spectrum of diet types, including flesh-eating and plant-based. The research found that these species had achieved modern levels of dietary specialization by 100 million years ago.
A team of researchers overturns the long-standing hypothesis that mammal ancestors moved like modern lizards. They discovered that non-mammalian synapsids moved their backbone in a manner distinctly different from any living animal.
A new species of mosasaur with shark-like cutting teeth has been discovered in Morocco, highlighting the diverse range of predators that thrived in ancient seas. The discovery suggests that marine reptiles were expanding their diversity before they went extinct, contradicting previous assumptions about ecosystem decline.
University of Otago researchers found that confining barking geckos in a pen for three months before releasing them to Mana Island helps establish a breeding population. The method has potential to aid conservation efforts for other species, reducing detrimental initial dispersal.
Researchers mapped the platypus genome to understand its evolution, discovering that it carries genes from a common ancestor with birds and reptiles. The study found that platypuses lay eggs due to retained vitellogenin genes, produce milk through sweat, and have venomous spurs.
A new study published in Ecology has discovered that monitor lizards are ecosystem engineers, creating complex burrow systems used by various animal communities. These systems provide critical shelter and resources, but their destruction due to invasive species like the cane toad threatens ecosystem balance.
Researchers found that mass extinctions of land-dwelling animals, including amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds, coincide with major asteroid impacts and devastating volcanic outpourings of lava. The study suggests that these periodic events may be triggered by comets and are linked to the Earth's orbit in the Galaxy.
Researchers discover lagerpetids, small wingless reptiles, as the closest relatives of pterosaurs, filling a 200-year-old gap in their evolution. The study reveals similarities between lagerpetid brains and sensory systems and those of pterosaurs.
A new species of ancient marine reptile, Brevicaudasus jiyangshanensis, has been identified in China, featuring a short, flattened tail used for balance. This adaptation allowed the creature to float motionless underwater, conserving energy while searching for prey.
Research on 200 million-year-old mammal teeth reveals they functioned like reptiles, living up to 14 years. Fossilized cementum rings were used to determine lifespan, contradicting previous warm-blooded mammal assumptions.
Researchers created the largest available timeline of reptile evolution using CT scans and fossil data from over 1,000 specimens. The study found that major transitions in evolution occurred through many small bursts of morphological changes over 50 million years, contradicting a widely held theory on rapid evolutionary bursts.
A UNIGE team discovers that a single gene mutation affects every skin color in corn snakes, storing both pigments and crystals in lysosome-related vesicles. This study marks a significant step forward in understanding the origin of colors and patterns in vertebrates.
Researchers modelled the changing ecologies of fossil reptiles in Mesozoic oceans, discovering six ecological categories that linked movement, habitat, and feeding styles. The study shows that these marine reptiles avoided competition with each other, with some groups conserving their ecological roles over time.