The geologist found the most complete fossil of a pointed snout sea lizard Gunakadeit joseeae in North America.
The specimen found in the Alps is believed to be the fossil of the ancient lizard species living on Earth at least 240 million years ago.
The new study suggests that a four-legged solid fossil does not have the characteristics of a snake and is actually an ancient lizard species living under water.
Scientists have discovered a 23 million-year-old lizard preserved intact in a sample of amber in Mexico.