A new study from the University of Bristol has reclassified the ancient reptile Cryptovaranoides microlanius as a lepidosaur, making it the oldest known squamate, predating previous estimates by 35 million years. Initially thought to be an archosaur, the reclassification was based on specific bone features unique to squamates, such as the humerus and radius, which were misinterpreted in earlier research. This discovery suggests that lizards and snakes are much older than previously believed, dating back to the late Triassic period.
A subspecies of the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis nigriventris, found in central Italy, exhibits larger size, green skin, and heightened aggression due to genetic introgression from another lineage. Researchers identified specific genes regulating neural crest cells that contribute to these traits, revealing the genetic basis for the lizard's distinctive appearance.
A study led by the University of Queensland has revealed how certain lizards, including Komodo dragons and goannas, have evolved to resist the deadly neurotoxins of venomous Australian snakes. The research found that most large varanid lizards have inherited neurotoxin resistance, possibly due to their predatory lifestyle, while some smaller species lost and regained this resistance as they adapted to different environments. Additionally, the study showed that some lizards rely on their physical build, such as thick scales and large teeth, to protect themselves against snakebites. This research sheds light on the dynamic nature of evolutionary processes in delicate ecosystems and highlights the intense predator-prey dynamic between lizards and snakes.
A multigenerational study of four lizard species has provided insights into the "paradox of stasis" in evolutionary biology, where traits appear stable over long periods despite variability in the short term. The research, led by James Stroud, observed that while individual generations of lizards showed fluctuating traits due to directional selection, these variations averaged out to stasis over multiple generations. This study, which meticulously tracked and measured thousands of individual lizards over three years, suggests that short-term variability can lead to long-term stability in species, offering a potential resolution to the paradox of stasis.
New research challenges the traditional understanding of natural selection by studying the survival patterns of lizards in their natural habitat. Contrary to previous beliefs, the study found that natural selection, which maintains an average species feature, was infrequent. Instead, traits advantageous for survival varied from year to year, yet overall, species appearance remained largely unchanged over time. The study suggests that species can remain consistent in appearance while still undergoing evolution, providing new insights into evolutionary stasis.
A long-term study conducted by James Stroud, an assistant professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, challenges the paradox of stasis in evolutionary biology. Stroud studied four species of Anolis lizards over five consecutive time periods, measuring natural selection and survival rates. Contrary to the assumption of stabilizing selection, Stroud found that natural selection varied greatly over time, with different traits being favored in different years. However, when analyzed over the entire time period, the variation effectively canceled itself out, resulting in species remaining remarkably similar. This study provides new insight into how selection operates on a community level and highlights the ongoing process of evolution, even when species appear to remain the same.
Fans of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom are divided on whether the Zonai, a mythical tribe in the game, look like goats or lizards. While the tribe's iconography and ouroboros logo suggest a reptilian inspiration, the Zonai themselves have a hairy appearance and goat-like facial structure. The debate has sparked a poll among fans to determine which side they fall on.
