Key Takeaways
1. A new lizard species named Bolg amondol was discovered in a museum, highlighting its significance in understanding Cretaceous-era ecosystems.
2. The skeleton of Bolg amondol, found in Utah’s Kaiparowits Formation, dates back 75 million years and includes various skeletal elements.
3. Bolg amondol measures about one meter in length and was capable of hunting small dinosaurs or their eggs.
4. The name Bolg amondol references both Tolkien’s goblin prince and the lizard’s skull shape, enhancing its cultural significance.
5. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of lizards and their ecological roles in the ancient Laramidia forests.
A newly found lizard, reminiscent of a creature from Tolkien’s world, has been uncovered in a museum. The species, named Bolg amondol, sheds light on the complex biological interactions between continents during the Cretaceous era.
Discovery in a Museum
This unusual discovery was made by Hank Woolley while examining a jar filled with bone fragments at the Utah Natural History Museum. He shared with the journal Royal Society Open Science: “I opened it and instantly realized that it wasn’t merely a lizard. There was a fragmented but cohesive skeleton. I recognized it was significant right away.”
Details of the Skeleton
The skeleton consists of various elements, including parts of the skull, vertebrae, pelvic and scapular girdles, and bone plates. It was found in the Kaiparowits Formation, which dates back 75 million years in Utah.
Bolg amondol measures approximately one meter in length, similar in size to a desert monitor lizard, and had the ability to hunt small dinosaurs or their eggs for sustenance. Its looks are also somewhat recognizable, as it belongs to the group of creatures known as monstersaurs, which includes the Gila Monster.
Name Origin and Significance
The name Bolg may sound familiar. Woolley explains: “Bolg is a resonant name, that of a goblin prince in The Hobbit. These lizards exhibit a somewhat monstrous facade, especially when you examine their skulls.” He then added “amondol,” a term derived from Tolkien’s Elvish language meaning ‘mound’ and ‘head’, which references the skull shape of this carnivorous armored lizard.
This discovery enhances our understanding of its extinct species and its family: “The finding of Bolg fills in the fragmented puzzle of this ancient lineage, which spans over 100 million years.” Previously found fossils were mostly limited to teeth and small bone fragments. Now, Bolg amondol offers a more thorough view of this dinosaur: “This enables us to accurately place it within the evolutionary tree of lizards and contrast its characteristics with those of other, even more distantly related, species.”
Ecological Role
Additionally, this extinct lizard played a crucial part in the ecosystem of the Laramidia forests. This area was home to three species of giant lizards. Interestingly, the closest ancestor of Bolg amondol resided in the Gobi Desert, implying that these lizards didn’t travel across natural land bridges between continents to seek better climates or territories.
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