How did dinosaurs originate? The new pre-dinosaur reptile discovery in Brazil may shed light on this mystery

The Gondwanax paraisensis was a small, four-legged reptile, about the size of a small dog. (Representative Image: Canva)

In an exciting discovery that offers fresh insights into the origins of dinosaurs, scientists have unearthed an ancient fossil in southern Brazil. The fossil, belonging to a newly identified reptile species called Gondwanax paraisensis, is believed to be around 237 million years old, making it one of the oldest reptile fossils ever found. This discovery offers significant clues about the evolutionary journey of early reptiles and their role in the emergence of dinosaurs.

Meet Gondwanax paraisensis: A Prehistoric Reptile

The Gondwanax paraisensis was a small, four-legged reptile, about the size of a small dog. It measured roughly 1 meter (39 inches) in length and weighed between 3 to 6 kg (7 to 13 pounds). Living during the Triassic period, a time when Earth’s climate was much warmer, this species inhabited what is now southern Brazil.

Fossils called Gondwanax paraisensis, a species that lived 237 million years ago and was a precursor to dinosaurs, in the Cappa laboratory. (Image: Reuters)

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Paleontologists believe this reptile belonged to the silesaurid family, a group of extinct reptiles closely related to early dinosaurs. The exact classification of silesaurids is still under debate, but studying fossils like this could help scientists determine whether they were direct ancestors of dinosaurs. "This discovery provides new insight into the creatures that paved the way for dinosaurs," explained paleontologist Rodrigo Temp Müller, who led the research.

Studying fossils like this could help scientists determine whether they were direct ancestors of dinosaurs. (Image: Reuters)

Significance of the Fossil's Age in Dinosaur Evolution

The fossil was discovered in a rock layer from the Triassic period, an era that saw the emergence of many modern animal groups like mammals, turtles, and crocodiles. Müller highlighted the importance of the fossil's age, noting that its ancient origins could unlock key details about how dinosaurs first evolved. The study was recently published in the journal Gondwana Research.

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The species name Gondwanax means "lord of Gondwana," referencing the supercontinent Pangaea's southern region, where the fossil was found. The species name paraisensis honours Paraiso do Sul, the town near the fossil site.