Paleontologists recently uncovered a new genus and species of pan-shinisaur lizard in southern France. This discovery stretches the lineage’s presence in Europe back by at least 30 million years.
The new species, called Acutodon villeveyracensis, lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 83 million years ago. Only the upper jawbone of this lizard was found, measuring around 2.8 cm (1.1 inches) long. Its teeth were slender and recurved, similar to those of living crocodile lizards. These unique traits led researchers to classify it as a separate species.
Pan-shinisaurs are an evolutionary group of lizards that originated in the Early Cretaceous. Today, only one species remains: the endangered Chinese crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus), found in small streams in southeastern China and northern Vietnam. Experts estimate that fewer than 1,000 of these lizards survive in the wild due to habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. Dr. Olivier Jansen, a paleontologist involved in this research, emphasized the urgent threats facing this species, particularly from illegal pet trade and environmental changes that disrupt its habitat.
The finding of Acutodon raises intriguing questions about pan-shinisaur evolution and migration patterns. With its discovery, researchers are keen to explore how such species adapted to their environments.
In the past, large predatory lizards thrived alongside flooded ecosystems like those where Acutodon lived. Fossil evidence suggests that these lizards dined on small fish, frogs, and even other reptiles. This was a time of diverse life forms, and the presence of Acutodon suggests that this area was once rich in fauna.
The study describing this remarkable lizard is detailed in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. You can read it here.
With these recent discoveries, we gain new insights into the past and the ongoing struggles of modern reptiles. Understanding their historical context helps us appreciate how climate and human activities affect biodiversity today.
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