A new species of dinosaur that is thought to have lived around 167 million years ago has been discovered in the UK. The Jurassic reptile had the same proportions as a lizard but with snake-like jaws and curved teeth like a modern-day python.
The fossilised skeleton of the reptile, which is one of the oldest dinosaurs known to science, was originally found on the Isle of Skye, in Scotland, nine years ago. It has since gone through detailed scans to allow scientists to learn more about the species. They have recently given it the name Breugnathair elgolensis, meaning “false snake of Elgol”, and it is now part of the National Museums Scotland (NMS) collection.
Researchers believe the species could have been one of the parviraptorids which are the predecessors of all lizards and snakes.
Dr Roger Benson, Curator of Palaeontology at the American Museum of Natural History, said: “Snakes are remarkable animals that evolved long, limbless bodies from lizard-like ancestors.
“Breugnathair has the snake-like feature of the teeth and jaws, but in other ways is surprisingly primitive.”
The species was believed to be around 41cm (16 inches) long which actually made it one of the largest lizards in its ecosystem. The researchers suspect it hunted smaller lizards, as well as young mammals and dinosaurs.
It had a short body with fully formed limbs like a lizard. Breugnathair elgolensis also had a jaw like a snake and teeth similar to a python.
Dr Stig Walsh, a curator at NMS, added: “The Isle of Skye is one of the most important Middle Jurassic sites in the world.
“Breugnathair elgolensis is a remarkable addition to the fossil record, helping to rewrite our understanding of the evolution of snakes and lizards.
“We’re delighted to add it to the other amazing finds in the national collection that were discovered in Skye, truly Scotland’s Jurassic Isle.”