Oldest Modern Lizard Fossil Rewrites Reptile History by 35 Million Years

**A recent discovery of a lizard fossil, *Cryptovaranoides microlanius*, aged at least 205 million years, has been confirmed as the oldest modern-type lizard, repositioning the origin of the lizard-snake group, Squamata, back by 35 million years.** This fossil, discovered in a quarry near Bristol, had its identity questioned by another team in 2023, who suggested it was related to crocodilians and dinosaurs instead. However, fresh analysis from the University of Bristol team, published in Royal Society Open Science, reaffirms its classification as a lizard. Key anatomical features, including the skull, jaws, teeth, and limb bones, closely align it with modern lizards, specifically within the Anguimorpha like monitors and anguids. The Bristol team's thorough examination involved detailed X-ray scans and a phylogenetic analysis that repeatedly supported their original conclusions. The re-evaluation included addressing criticisms from the rival paper, ultimately providing further evidence through photographs and 3D images that validate their findings. This small yet significant specimen, aptly named *Cryptovaranoides microlanius* or ‘hidden lizard, small butcher,’ due to its sharp teeth, exemplifies an earlier evolutionary branch of reptiles dating back millions of years.