University of Alberta researchers spot new fossil species in Italy

EDMONTON—University of Alberta researchers have discovered a new species of ancient underwater lizards. The metre-long predator ate fish up to 75 million years ago in waters that once covered what is now southern Italy. The fossil is so well preserved that scientists can examine its scales and muscle tissue. They can even see its lunch—a tiny fish skeleton is preserved in its belly. Ilaria Paparella, who describes the new species in a new paper, says the dolichosaur has been named Primitivus manduriensis after the local wine where the fossil was found.