ST. LOUIS, MO – In a discovery that is rewriting the timeline of animal evolution, a team of researchers has uncovered the fossil of a new “wonder reptile” that suggests complex skin appendages, such as feathers, developed far earlier than previously believed. The newly described species, named Mirasaura grauvogeli, dates back to the Middle Triassic period, over 240 million years ago.
The fossil, unearthed at the famous Mazon Creek site in Illinois, reveals a creature with a striking feather-like crest. This finding challenges the long-held scientific consensus that complex feathers evolved much later, primarily with the emergence of dinosaurs. Mirasaura grauvogeli also possessed a bird-like skull and adaptations for climbing trees, providing new insights into the biology of ancient reptiles and the origins of these unique traits.
The study, published by researchers from the University of Missouri, is being hailed as a major breakthrough in paleontology. Scientists believe the discovery will prompt a re-evaluation of how skin appendages evolved and could provide clues to the development of other complex features in various animal species.
