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Dr Stig Walsh holding a cast of the Breugnathair elgolensis fossil(Image: Duncan McGlynn\/National Museums Scotland\/PA Wire )<\/p>\nAn international team of researchers, which included National Museums Scotland (NMS), uncovered a previously unknown species that lived around 167 million years ago.Dr Stig Walsh holding a cast of the Breugnathair elgolensis fossil(Image: Duncan McGlynn\/National Museums Scotland\/PA Wire )<\/p>\n
A fossil discovered on the Isle of Skye<\/a> has been revealed as a new species of Jurassic reptile which was an ancient ancestor to lizards and snakes.<\/p>\n An international team of researchers, which included National Museums Scotland (NMS)<\/a>, uncovered a previously unknown species that lived around 167 million years ago.<\/p>\n It was given the Gaelic name Breugnathair elgolensis, meaning \u201cfalse snake of Elgol\u201d \u2013 referencing the area of southern Skye<\/a> where it was discovered.<\/p>\n The reptile<\/a> had snake-like jaws and highly recurved teeth like a python\u2019s, though the same limbs and proportions as a lizard.<\/p>\n The fossil is among the oldest and most complete Jurassic lizards known to science and is now part of NMS\u2019s national collection.<\/p>\n Its anatomy suggests it could be one of the parviraptorids \u2013 the predecessors of all lizards and snakes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lead author Dr Roger Benson, Curator of Palaeontology at the American Museum of Natural History, said: \u201cSnakes are remarkable animals that evolved long, limbless bodies from lizard-like ancestors.<\/p>\n \u201cBreugnathair has the snake-like feature of the teeth and jaws, but in other ways is surprisingly primitive.<\/p>\n \u201cThis might be telling us that snake ancestors were very different to what we expected, or it could instead be evidence for evolution of predatory habits in a primitive, extinct group.\u201d<\/p>\n The fossil was discovered near Elgol by NMS curator Dr Stig Walsh in 2016, and has since undergone detailed scans.<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile<\/strong><\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_01K6FP8865H5Y3J5Z76FGABH45.jpg\")
An artist’s impression of a Breugnathair elgolensis(Image: Brennan Stokkermans\/National Museums Scotland\/PA Wire )<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1758085594_118_0_WACOMMUNITYQR3.jpg\")
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