Bristol Researcher unearths Early Reptile Footprints

January 2008

Canada is home to the earliest evidence for the existence of reptiles according to University of Bristol researcher.

UK Scientis Dr Howard Falcon-Lang discovered the 315 million year old fossilised footprints.

"As I walked along remote sea-cliffs at the end of a long day in the field, I passed a recent rock fall." Said UK scientist Dr Falcon-Lang. "One large slab of rock was covered with hundreds of fossil footprints! The Sun was low in the sky and I probably wouldn't have seen them if it hadn't been for the shadows."

The footprints suggest that reptiles evolved up to three million years earlier than previously thought. The tracks also provide an insight into a time when vertebrates were evolving through amphibians to reptiles.

It is believed the tracks were left by reptiles gathering around a water hole. The most likely species capable of making those tracks is a lizard-like reptile named Hylonomus Lyelli according to Professor Mike Benton who co-authored the study. Mike said "The prints showed that the hands had five fingers and scales, sure evidence they were made by reptiles and not amphibians."

Results of the study are published in the Journal of the Geological Society of London.

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