Solnhofen Archipelago refers to a collection of islands that thrived during the late Jurassic era in present-day Bavaria, Germany.
Life expressions of Sphenodraco scandentis in the ancient environment of the Solnhofen Archipelago. Image credit: Gabriel Ugueto.
The newly identified species Sphenodraco scandentis belongs to the earliest known clade of its sister group (lizards, snakes, and worm lizards), namely Rhynchocephalia.
Currently, this group is epitomized by a solitary extant species, the Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), although Rhynchocephalians were once as prevalent as modern lizards.
The fossil specimen of Sphenodraco scandentis is separated into two main slabs, as documented in literature, with previous assignments to Homoeosaurus maximiliani, along with a counterslab containing the majority of its skeletal remains.
These two segments were sold individually to museums in Frankfurt and London nearly a century ago.
“The breakthrough occurred while I was examining fossil reptiles at the Museum of Natural History in London,” remarked PhD candidate Victor Beccali from the Paleontology Museum in Munich.
“I observed a striking resemblance between the fossils in the museum’s collection and those I studied at the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Frankfurt.”
“It was revealed that they were not merely similar; they were two halves of the same fossil, likely split in the 1930s for a greater profit.”
Holotype of Sphenodraco scandentis. Left: Main slab featuring bone fragments and skeletal traces. Right: Counterslab showcasing most remains of the skeleton. Image credit: Beccali et al. , doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf073.
According to Beccari and colleagues, comparisons with modern lizards, including the Tuatara, indicate that Sphenodraco scandentis shared elongated limbs, toes, and compact bodies, suggesting these creatures may have inhabited the treetops of Jurassic forests.
“The deeper I delve into the historical study of these animals, the more I realize that species definitions are not always straightforward,” stated Beccali.
“Today’s islands host hundreds of reptilian species, so it’s plausible that ancient islands did too.”
“This research highlights the vital role that museum collections play in enhancing our understanding of ancient biodiversity.”
“Many of these fossils were unearthed nearly two centuries ago, yet they still hold significant insights to offer.”
“The Solnhofen region provides pristine, complete skeletons for many Rhynchocephalians, though their skulls may be crushed or some skeletons remain embedded in rock,” explained Dr. Mark Jones, curator of Fossil Reptiles and Amphibians at the Museum of Natural History in London.
“Until recently, this meant that Solnhofen’s specimens weren’t contributing to our understanding as much as they should have.”
“Utilizing micro-X-ray CT, and in this case, UV imaging, has helped clarify anatomical features.”
“This recent study underscores the necessity of investigating all available samples.”
The study was published on July 2, 2025, in The Linnean Society’s Journal of Zoology.
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Victor Beccali et al. 2025. The importance of the appendix skeleton for tumors in the tree-bark thoracic cube and scaly pidosaurs from the late Jurassic in Germany. The Linnean Society’s Journal of Zoology 204 (3): ZLAF073; doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf073
Source: www.sci.news
