Summary:
- Scientists have discovered the oldest known fossil of a modern lizard, dating back approximately 240 million years. This finding pushes back the origins of lizards by around 75 million years, significantly altering our understanding of lizard evolution.
- The fossil, named Megachirella wachtleri, is a small, lizard-like creature that lived during the Triassic period and is the earliest known member of the squamate reptile group, which includes lizards and snakes.
- The discovery of this ancient fossil provides important insights into the early evolution of lizards and their diversification, helping to fill in gaps in the fossil record and shedding light on the origins of this diverse group of reptiles.