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100-Million-Year-Old Amber Preserves Earliest Evidence of Lizard Tail Autotomy
Summarized from Haaretz English by baba
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Researchers have found the earliest evidence of lizard tail-shedding, or autotomy, in a 100-million-year-old amber fossil from Myanmar. Analysis of the tail, preserved in amber, shows signs of voluntary shedding, proving the defensive mechanism existed in ancient lizards. The discovery was made by scientists from Tel Aviv University and other institutions using micro-CT scanning. This finding confirms a defensive ability previously only theorized for lizards living alongside dinosaurs.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Earliest evidence of lizard tail-shedding (autotomy) found in 100-million-year-old amber.
- The fossilized tail from Myanmar shows signs of voluntary shedding, not trauma.
- Researchers from Tel Aviv University led the analysis, using micro-CT scanning.
- The discovery confirms a defensive mechanism existed in lizards during the dinosaur era.
- The specific lizard species remains unknown, but potential affinities are suggested.
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