Scientists have made an exciting discovery in the Thuringian Forest of Germany that rewrites part of reptile history. They found a 295-million-year-old fossil, the oldest known example of a cloaca—an important multi-purpose opening used for excretion and reproduction. This fossil offers valuable insights into how early reptiles developed their anatomy and skin structures.
Discovered in the Goldlauter Formation, this fossil belongs to a small reptile named Cabarzichnus pulchrus, part of an early reptile group called bolosaurs. It beats the previous record by an impressive 170 million years. Finding such soft tissue structures in fossils this old is rare and could change our understanding of reptile evolution during the early Permian period.
What sets the Cabarzichnus pulchrus fossil apart is its remarkable level of detail. Alongside it were preserved footprints and resting traces, making it one of the most complete impressions of a Paleozoic reptile. According to paleontologist Lorenzo Marchetti, this cloaca provides new information about early reptile anatomy that researchers didn’t expect to find in such ancient fossils. Its positioning mirrors that of modern reptiles, suggesting that these ancient creatures were already adapting traits we see in today’s turtles, lizards, and snakes.
This fossil also showcases the earliest known reptile skin, featuring scale patterns that range from diamond-shaped to hexagonal. These keratin-based scales indicate that the evolution of reptile skin is more ancient than previously thought, challenging earlier timelines. Recent studies show that such scale structures were vital for survival, providing protection against environmental changes during the Permian period.
Experts believe that trace fossils like this are crucial for understanding ancient life. Unlike traditional bone fossils, they capture detailed aspects of anatomy and behavior that are hard to see otherwise. As Marchetti explains, these findings allow scientists to gain a deeper understanding of early reptile evolution.
Furthermore, the discovery emphasizes the co-evolution of epidermal and dermal scales in reptiles—marking a significant point in the timeline of reptile development. This ancient find not only sheds light on how these animals adapted to their environment but also emphasizes their complexity much earlier than researchers had thought.
The Cabarzichnus pulchrus fossil provides scientists a unique look at the early development of reptile skin and anatomy. The associated footprints of Varanopus microdactylus further highlight the significance of these finds. They give us the first clear evidence of how early reptiles developed skin structures vital for their survival.
Overall, this discovery marks a significant step in understanding reptile evolution and challenges existing timelines. The well-preserved cloaca hints that these early reptiles already had advanced features essential for survival. The study of fossils like Cabarzichnus pulchrus continues to reveal fascinating insights about life on Earth millions of years ago.
