Researchers Present New Species Of Extinct Lizard, Previously Misidentified As Bird

The specimen is in the same genus as Oculudentavis khaungraae, whose original description as the smallest known bird was retracted last year.

During a recent study, an international research team described a new species of Oculudentavis and provided further evidence that the animal first identified as a hummingbird-sized dinosaur was actually a lizard. The researchers published their findings in Current Biology. This new species, named Oculudentavis naga in honour of the Naga people of Myanmar and India, is represented by a partial skeleton that includes a complete skull, exquisitely preserved in amber with visible scales and soft tissue. The specimen is in the same genus as Oculudentavis khaungraae, whose original description as the smallest known bird was retracted last year. The two fossils were found in the same area and are about 99 million years old. The team, led by Arnau Bolet of Barcelona's Institut Catala de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, used CT scans to separate, analyse and compare each bone in the two species digitally, uncovering a number of physical characteristics that earmark the small animals like lizards. Oculudentavis is so strange, however, it was difficult to categorise without close examination of its features, Mr Bolet said.