Tiny 242-mn-year-old fossil reveals details about ancient lizards
The 242-million-year-old fossil known as Agriodontosaurus helsbypetrae has been identified by scientists as the earliest known ancestor of tuataras, snakes, and lizards. Unlike modern lizards, it lacked a skull hinge and palatal teeth, but had an open temporal bar and triangular teeth for piercing insect shells. The findings suggest ancient lizard relatives had distinct skull structures and diets.