Scientists have revised the skeleton Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi and made new insights
In 2003, Italy had discovered the fossilized remains of a prehistoric armored reptiles known as Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi. Around the skeleton were found many remains of fishes and marine reptiles, which suggests that the reptile lived under water. Now, the same skeleton was discovered in the Alps.
Excavated over 10 years ago fossil 241 million years, originally it was thought that it is a fish, but recently found a skeleton, analyzed by scientists from the University of Zurich and Oxford University, suggests otherwise.
Scientists have revised the skeleton Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi and made new insights
The entire skeleton has a length of only 20 cm, It has clearly viewed the armour plate including rows of spines. But not in the body Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi important details, such as the presence of streamlined shape or fins, which would suggest that the species probably lived on land or were amphibians. Currently in Africa living land lizards is very similar to that fossil, although it is not yet known, relatives or not.
“While this new discovery. We thought Eusaurosphargis was water, so we were surprised to find that the skeleton actually demonstrates the adaptation to life on land,” says Dr. James Neenan, of Oxford University: “We believe that this particular animal must be washed into the sea when he was walking somewhere on the beach.”
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