Ancient reptile lay in amber for 99 million years (PHOTO)
A tiny gecko of the extinct species Carinasquama rusmithii has been discovered in a piece of Burmese amber 99 million years old. Using micro-computed tomography, scientists determined the animal's sex by a hemipenal bulge — one of the oldest reliably identified male lizards.
A unique paleontological find from Kachin Province in Myanmar: a tiny gecko of the extinct species Carinasquama rusmithii, perfectly preserved in a piece of Burmese amber about 99 million years old. The body length from snout to cloaca was only 1.6–2.2 cm. The research team led by Juan Daza from Sam Houston State University used micro-computed tomography to create 3D scans. Although the soft tissues had decomposed, the external mold captured the texture of the skin and scales. Particular attention was drawn to a bulge at the base of the tail — the hemipenal bulge, an external characteristic of male squamates. This is one of the oldest reliably identified male lizards in the history of science. The find expands knowledge about the evolution of the Pan-Gekkota group and demonstrates the preserving properties of amber.