"A new study published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society looks beneath their skin. For the first time, it reveals hidden bone structures that may hold the key to the evolutionary success of goannas in Australia."

https://theconversation.com/new-study-peers-beneath-the-skin-of-iconic-lizards-to-find-chainmail-bone-plates-and-lots-of-them-260700

Paper [ https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/article/204/3/zlaf070/8203240 ]

#Australia #Goannas #Reptiles #MonitorLIzards #Osteoderms #Biology #Nature

Triassic Armored Marine Reptile Unearthed
https://www.sci.news/paleontology/prosaurosphargis-yingzishanensis-12178.html

An armoured marine reptile from the Early #Triassic of South China and its phylogenetic and evolutionary implications https://elifesciences.org/articles/83163

"#Prosaurosphargis yingzishanensis was approximately 1.5 m (5 feet) in total body length and was covered by a heavy dermal armor composed of #osteoderms. The ancient species belonged to #Saurosphargidae, a small group of aquatic reptiles within the large clade #Sauropterygia."

‘earlier than previously thought’ story of the week…

27,000-year-old Pendants made from giant sloths suggest earlier arrival of people in the Americas - Arkeonews #Brazil #osteoderms #HumanMigration https://arkeonews.net/27000-year-old-pendants-made-from-giant-sloths-suggest-earlier-arrival-of-people-in-the-americas/

Bumpy is beautiful!

#osteoderms #crocodile #orinococrocodile #Crocodylusintermedius