83-Million-Year-Old Crocodile Lizard Fossil Found in France Challenges Evolutionary Timeline

Key Points:

• A new species of crocodile lizard, Acutodon villeveyracensis, was discovered in southern France, extending the known history of pan-shinisaur lizards in Europe by 30 million years and revealing their presence during the Late Cretaceous period.
• The fossilized upper jaw, about 2.8 cm long, shows unique dental features linking it to both living and extinct crocodile lizards; scientists estimate the species could grow over one meter, making it a top predator in its ecosystem with a semi-aquatic lifestyle.
• This discovery provides critical insights into the evolutionary history and paleobiogeography of anguimorph lizards, suggesting that ancestors of the modern Chinese crocodile lizard were once widespread across Europe before becoming confined to East Asia.
• The modern Chinese crocodile lizard is the only surviving member of the pan-shinisaur lineage, currently endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and climate change, highlighting the fragile continuity of this ancient group.
• The find underscores the importance of fragmentary fossils in understanding evolutionary timelines and encourages further research into the ecological roles, migration, and adaptations of pan-shinisaur lizards throughout history.