Scientists rewrite the evolutionary history of reptiles

A comprehensive analysis of the genetic relationship between snakes, lizards and other reptiles has produced a new genealogy diagram of this animal, a group of researchers said.

These findings are being hoped to be used to rewrite the evolutionary history of reptiles, and answer the question: when and how do some snake species secrete venom?

The evolution of the venom system was once thought to be under the influence of radiation in evolutionary snakes. In contrast, lizards' venom system is thought to be limited to two species and evolved independently from snakes.

However, in this new study, scientists from Australia, Switzerland and the US said that the common ancestors of snakes and lizards owned venom systems, and when snakes began to evolve 100 million years ago. Their venom gene is 100 million years old.

Scientists compared nine genes in 19 species of snakes and lizards. They found that snakes have a close relationship with a group of lizards, including color grouper, Indonesian lizard, bearded dragon and Gila giant lizard. Only 1 of these has venom. The lizard's distant relatives like geckos and short-legged lizards do not have venom genes.

' We used to think that venom was due to recent evolution, but this study shows that this evolution took place very early in reptile history, about 200 million years ago, when dinosaurs only It's just beginning to grow , 'said Blair Hedges, a professor at Pennsylvania State University.

The researchers selected and analyzed the largest genetic data collected from scaly reptiles. The results of the genealogy diagram have revealed some surprising relationships for the scientific world.

' The results of this study provide new insight into the evolution of venom systems in scaly reptiles and pave the way for biomedical and pharmaceutical studies used in venom proteins that have not been examined until now. break, 'scientists said.

The study could also help scientists find fossils of more species because it provides more information about the period of geological formation that these fossils can be found.

T.VY (Xinhua)