A new lizard species has been found in Mexico, trapped in amber, from prehistoric times. The specimen, which is 23 million years old, was found in Chiapas, Mexico.
According to what Francisco Riquelme, of the National Autonomous University of Mexico's Physics Institute, the lizard specimen found was "a complete and articulated animal that also preserves remains of soft tissue and skin." Additionally, the specimen measured 1.8 inches by 0.5 inches and upon preliminary findings, belonged to genus Anolis species.
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This specific genus, which has 400 species, is known for their amazing ability to adapt. For instance, some species in the genus have the ability to change color.
"The fossil specimens found in the state date back a minimum of 23 million years because that is the age of the amber that is extracted from deposits in the municipalities of Simojovel, Huitihupan, El Bosque, Pueblo Nuevo, Palenque, Totolapa and Malpaso," said Gerardo Carbot, director of Chiapas's Paleontology Museum.
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The specimen was able to be dated using the amber deposit, according to Carbot. While amber is found pieces of plants and animals, it is increasingly rare to find an entire vertebrate in it. The specimen is on display at the Amber Museum in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Catch the video below by National Geographic about the genus Anolis:
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