Ancient Lizard

Wow, it looks so interesting and I want to see it real.

Researchers from China uncovered remarkably preserved remains of the unique creature—an ancient lizard that glided through the air on membranes supported by eight elongated ribs.

Named Xianglong zhaoi, the bizarre animal, as seen in this artist's recreation, lived in treetops during the early Cretaceous period, which began about 144 million years ago.

The animal's 6.1-inch-long (15.5-centimeter-long) skeleton (inset) was found in Liaoning province in northeastern China—complete with superbly preserved imprints of its patagium, or wing membranes. Fully extended, the patagium would have stretched about 4.5 inches (11 centimeters) across.

The animal might also have been surprisingly agile in the air, as its wing features "are close to those in fast-flying birds with great maneuverability," write the researchers in this week's edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Science. (Related: "Dino-Era Bird Flew With Four Wings, Study Says" [September 28, 2006].)

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