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Researchers discovered that the 50-million-year-old animal from Tunisia could split snail shells with its powerful jaws. The discovery of Terastiodontosaurus marcelosanchezi in Tunisia has revealed the largest species of worm-like lizard, combining unique surface-dwelling habits with a 56-million-year specialization in eating snails, demonstrating an extraordinary sequence of evolution.
Discovery of a new fossil species
An international team of researchers has found a new fossil species of worm lizard in Tunisia Terastiodontosaurus marcelosanchezi . This discovery is the largest known representative of the Amphisbaenia group with a skull measuring more than five centimeters. Unlike modern worm lizards, which mostly live underground, this ancient species could spend time on the surface due to its size. Its fossil remains reveal surprising dental adaptations, including powerful jaws and specialized tooth enamel, suggesting a diet centered on snails, a food habit that persisted for more than 56 million years.
Unusual features of worm lizards
Worm-like lizards, or Amphisbaenia, get their name from their striking resemblance to worms with heads at both ends. This appearance, reminiscent of creatures from Greek mythology, is actually an evolutionary adaptation. Thanks to the rounded, blunt ends of the tail, worm lizards can easily move back and forth. Their worm-like bodies are perfect for navigating the tight underground spaces they excavate themselves, allowing them to thrive in their lifestyle.
International research cooperation
An international group led by Professor, Dr. Georgios L. Georgalis from the Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow, together with researchers from the Senckenberg Research Institute and the Museum of Natural History in Frankfurt, the Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution de Montpellier, the National Museum of Natural History in Paris and the National Directorate of Mining in Tunisia described previously unknown fossil species from the group of worm lizards in a new study.
"Our discovery in Tunisia, with an estimated skull length of more than five centimeters, is the largest known species of worm lizard," explains Georgalis. "All the evidence points to the new species being related to the modern worm lizard."
Giant worm lizard: life above and below ground
Unlike the recent Amphisbaenia, which are adapted to an underground lifestyle, the new species Terastiodontosaurus marcelosanchezi, was probably too large to live exclusively in burrows. Therefore, the researchers assume that the animal also spent a significant amount of time on the surface.
PD co-author Dr Christer Smith of the Senckenberg Research Institute and the Natural History Museum Frankfurt adds: "If worm lizards could grow as large as snakes, then the new species would be comparable to Titanoboa , the length of which reaches 13 meters. in other words, much larger than their closest relatives. We believe that the unusual body size is related to higher temperatures during this period of Earth's history."
Advanced dental adaptations of a prehistoric predator
Using micro-computed tomography, the research team documented the peculiar anatomy of the new species, which dates back to the Eocene. The worm-like lizard is characterized by unusual dental morphology, including a massive tooth in the upper jaw, flat molars, and a number of other features that set it apart from all other Amphisbaenia.
"Visually, the animal can be imagined as a "sand worm" from the science fiction novels "Dune" and their adaptation. "Based on the structure of the teeth and the extremely thick enamel, we can conclude that the animals had enormous muscle power in their jaws," Georgalis explains.
We know that modern chess lizards like to eat snails by breaking their shells. We can now assume that this genus specialized in feeding on snails more than 56 million years ago and could easily open them with its powerful jaws. As such, this feeding strategy is extremely consistent – it has defied all environmental changes and accompanies the pedigree to this day,” concludes Smith.
