Researchers Discover an Exceptionally-Preserved Fossil From the Alps, Reveal That This Ancient Reptile Lurked on Land and Not in Water

In 2017, researchers examined a fossil from Switzerland that changed their assertions regarding Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi. The remains were found to be 241 million years old and were spotted amidst the mountains of Grisons, stated the University of Oxford. The analysis shocked experts as it indicated that the reptile moved on land when previous findings suggested that it was primarily an aquatic being. Findings regarding this fossil from the Alps have been published in Scientific Reports. 

This fossil of Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi was valuable for experts as never before did they have the opportunity to have such a comprehensive look at this armored reptile from the Middle Triassic period. The remains gave researchers a clear idea about the creature's anatomy and possible lifestyle. The fossil measures 20 cm in length and appears to be of a juvenile. The reason, these remains did not get attacked by predators was cited to be the protection provided by armor plates, and spikes surrounding each flank of this creature, by experts.

Remains of Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi have also been discovered in the past by experts. The creature was first identified in 2003 based on a specimen located in Italy. Since this specimen was found alongside fish fossils, researchers believed that the creature used water as a habitat. The findings from the Switzerland fossil proved this assertion to be wrong.

"Until this new discovery we thought that Eusaurophargis was aquatic, so we were astonished to discover that the skeleton actually shows adaptations to life on the land,” said Dr. James Neenan, a research fellow at Oxford University Museum of Natural History and co-author of the new paper about Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi. "We think this particular animal must have washed into the sea from somewhere like a beach, where it sank to the sea floor, was buried, and finally fossilized."

Experts noted that the creature did not have a streamlined body and also did not display the modifications in its arms, legs, or tail typically observed in aquatic animals. Researchers concluded that this reptile lived on land or spent most of its time on this medium. Currently, the fossil is in the custody of the University of Oxford's Museum of Natural History.

This is not the first time fossils have revealed to researchers intriguing aspects about ancient reptiles. An Arizona fossil discovered in 1982 proved to be a breakthrough for experts trying to understand the background of tuatara primarily found in Arizona, according to the New York Times. The fossil unveiled that these reptiles are the last remnants of an ancient order of cold-blooded vertebrates Rhynchocephalians.

Considering the long life span of tuatara, researchers were quite confused when it came to its evolutionary characteristics. The remnants were 190 million years old and showcased that not much difference is present between tuatara and their ancestors. This implied that the Rhynchocephalians have not undergone many changes since the Jurassic period. Researchers were shocked to witness a creature that did not need to adapt much for two centuries. "Why the modern tuatara and their lineages have evolved so slowly for such a long period of time is a bigger question and a bit harder to get at," Stephanie Pierce, the Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology curator of vertebrate Paleontology said. "We need more fossils."