Snake fours – ElHeraldo.hn

Brazil

A team of researchers found in Brazil fossil snake with four legs that can be the link with modern snakes.

Dubbed Tetrapodophis amplectus, the fossil measured 19.5 cm long.

Scientists believe that the animal used its delicate arms and legs to walk but that served to catch its prey.

The fossil shows adaptations for digging, not for swimming, which reinforces the idea that snakes evolved on land.

If they evolved on land or in the water is a longstanding debate among paleontologists.

“This is the most primitive snake fossil is known, and it is very clear that it is not water,” said Nick Longrich, a researcher at the University of Bath in UK, and one of the authors the study.

According Longrich told the BBC, the shape of the tail of the creature is not suitable for swimming and no signs of the presence of fins. (Look at the pictures in the gallery)

Instead, his long trunk and short snout are the typical features of an animal that burrows.

Their front and rear extremities (4mm and 7 mm respectively) are very small and highly specialized, very thin fingers and claws at the end.

Bruno Simoes, a specialist in snakes Natural History Museum, was surprised by the good condition of fossil preservation and so well developed that are his limbs.

“It’s a surprise, especially because of its proximity to the current snakes,” Simoes told the BBC.

“It gives us a clear idea of ​​what the ancestor of snakes”.