A re-evaluation of the Cryptovaranoides microlanius fossil has dramatically shifted our understanding of lizard and snake origins.
Researchers identified key skeletal features—previously overlooked or misinterpreted—confirming its classification as a squamate.
This reclassification establishes Cryptovaranoides as the oldest known squamate, pushing back the lineage of modern snakes and lizards by 35 million years.
This discovery underscores the ongoing evolution of our knowledge about ancient life and the crucial role of detailed fossil analysis.
