Dinosaurs ruled the planet for nearly 180 million years during the Mesozoic Era. Their reign came to an end with a mass extinction that wiped out almost 80 percent of life on Earth. As per theories, a massive asteroid or comet impact, volcanic activity and changing sea levels caused the extinction of dinosaur species. It, however, remains a mystery how these creatures first appeared in the world. It is believed that dinosaurs evolved from a group of reptiles called dinosauromorphs.
Scientists in Brazil have recently announced the discovery of an ancient fossil that supposedly belongs to a reptile that existed nearly 237 million years ago. According to the researchers, this fossil can help explain the rise of the dinosaurs.
The reptile species, named Gondwanax paraisensis, had four legs. Its size was quite similar to that of a small dog having a long tail. The fossil was measured about 1 metre (39 inches) in length and its weight was between 3 to 6 kilograms (7 to 13 pounds), the scientists revealed in a statement on October 14, as reported by Reuters.
The researchers have identified the fossil as a new silesaurid – an extinct family of reptiles. These small creatures existed in the southern part of today’s Brazil when the planet was much warmer. Palaeontologists, however, have yet to confirm if silesaurids were actually dinosaurs or one of their precursors that once dominated the world.
“Understanding the characteristics of these precursors could shed light on what was crucial for the dinosaurs’ evolutionary success,” read the statement.
The fossil was discovered by physician Pedro Lucas Porcela Aurelio in the town of Paraiso do Sul in Brazil’s southernmost Rio Grande do Sul state in 2014. Aurelio donated it to a neighbouring university where he continued the research for three years.
“Being the first human to touch something from 237 million years ago is extraordinary. It’s an indescribable feeling,” Aurelio told Reuters.
The discovery was first published in the science journal Gondwana Research by Rodrigo Temp Muller. The palaeontologist said, “The most important part of this finding is its age. As it’s so old, it gives us clues as to how dinosaurs came to be.”
Muller further revealed that the fossil was covered with a layer of rock when Aurelio brought it to him. At that time, Muller could only recognise the vertebrae as the other parts were not visible.
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