Lizard fossil throws light on lost ecosystem

The lizard fossil, found in Southeast Asia, is some 75 million years older than the previous record holder, according to researchers at the Florida Museum of Natural History. 

The discovery will help researchers learn more about the “lost ecosystem, the lost world” to which the creatures belonged and it may help researchers learn more about the creatures’ modern relatives. It was found decades ago in a mine along with other ancient, well-preserved reptile fossils, but the US scientists were able to analyse the finds only recently. 

Scientists believe the chameleon-like creature was an infant when it was trapped in a gush of sticky resin while darting through a tropical forest in what is now Myanmar, in Southeast Asia. 

The creature’s entire body, including its eyes and colourful scales, is unusually well-preserved, ” Edward Stanley, a member of the research team said. 

The other reptiles trapped in the amber, including a gecko and an Arctic lizard, were also largely intact. “It’s an exciting find. It’s kind of a missing link,” Stanley said. 

Small reptiles have delicate bodies and typically deteriorate quickly, he said. 

Being encased in solid amber helped to lock the specimen together. Stanley and other researchers used high-resolution digital X-ray technology to examine the creatures and estimate the age of the amber without breaking it.