It is believed that dinosaurs were killed by an asteroid that fell to Earth. He also destroyed many species of snakes and lizards. According to new research from Harvard and Yale, the catastrophe was the cause of the disappearance recently found a new species of lizards called "Obamadon gracilis".
In early studies it was assumed that some species of lizards and snakes (as well as most mammals and plants) became extinct after the fall of the asteroid on the earth about 65, 5 million years ago in the Yucatan Peninsula. New studies show that the consequences of the accident was more serious than previously thought, according to "news from Ukraine".
According to scientists, has been extinct for more than 83% of all lizards and other animals, so the majority of species have disappeared forever. Such findings are made, an examination of the fossils of lizard found in the southwestern United States.
The researchers studied 21 previously known species of snakes and lizards, as well as investigated recently found 9 species. They found out that in the past there were many species of reptiles. Some were very small and some are huge, that could swallow deferred eggs of most species of dinosaurs.
"Lizards and snakes can compete with dinosaurs for a place in the top for the number of varieties, and of course, by age," said the study's lead author Nicolas Longrich.
Also conducted a detailed study of extinct reptiles and found that most of them died at the end of the Cretaceous period, after the fall of the asteroid.
The disappearance of most reptiles paved the way for the development and evolution of the remaining living beings, elimination of competition and struggle for survival.
"In our day lives approximately 9000 species of lizards and snakes", say the researchers. "They survived because they were better adapted to survive in different habitats, including our".
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