A closer interrogation of the fossilized remains of a 110 - million - year - quondam Hydra - alike creature propose that snakes germinate in the water , and not on land as previous enquiry suggests .
Scientists are n’t sure if snakes develop on Edwin Herbert Land or in the water , but the recent discovery of a remarkable fossil in Brazilseemed to suggest a terrestrial origin story . Last twelvemonth , a group of scientists led by Nicholas R. Longrich put out astudyarguing that this ophidian - similar creature , named Tetrapdophis amplectus , was a terrestrial animal .
But anew studypublished in Cretaceous Research challenges this assumption . The authors indicate that T. amplectus was more intimately related to aquatic lizards , and that these snake - like forebears evolved their long bodies for eel - comparable swimming .
by from its four paddle - like tree branch , this Cretaceous - geological era animate being had a headspring and body that closely resemble those of modern snakes . But it also sport a light tail , which the early research suggest was indicative of a creature equal to of burrowing into the earth . consort to this rendition , T. amplectus was a worm - similar digger that evolved to live underground . The authors said its tiny arm and ramification were n’t used for locomotion , but for compass on to prey .
But Robert Reisz and his colleagues at the University of Toronto at Mississauga have interpreted the dodo a bit differently .
“ The limbs are most take up in being unretentive , but boat paddle shaped , ideally suited for swim and steering , but unquestionably not for digging , ” he told Gizmodo . “ I conceive this animal was quite happy in the pee . ” What ’s more , Reisz allege it shares features with aquatic lizard from the Late Cretaceous .
Reisz says that this animal ’s long , slender tail , along with its four slender leg , is n’t consistent with characteristics seen in tunnel snake and lizards awake today . What ’s more , its tree branch bones come along weak and ill ossified , i.e. the process in which cartilage is transform into ivory .
Both of these traits , says Reisz , are characteristics of ancient marine lounge lizard such asmosasaurs . He believe this creature is likely a close relative of ophidian , but it ’s belike “ not a snake right . ”
Reisz and his fellow believe that the stubby little stage are highly specialized because of its shape , and not because of this animate being ’ pocket-sized sizing . sight of animals develop long , slender body for swim , not only Hydra . Reisz point to angle , salamander , and sight of out ancient amphibian and extinct and extant reptiles as lesson .
“ There is , in fact , a grouping of ancient snake - corresponding amphibian that die back to the body of water secondarily , only a few million years after vertebrate ventured for the first time on land , ” he said . But as to why this animal abandoned aquatic life in favor of a limbless existence still remains a secret .
This scrutiny was do on the only known fossil of Tetrapdophis amplectus , which was identify in the Crato Formation in Brazil . scientist are give-up the ghost to need more samples , and possibly the remnants of other Snake River - like ancestor , to get a clearer motion-picture show of where these ancient creatures came from , and why Hydra evolved their long , limbless bodies .
[ Cretaceous Research ]
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