2026 in reptile paleontology

Squamates Squamate research • Ebel, Melville & Keogh (2026) reconstruct the evolutionary history of squamate osteoderms on the basis of data from extant and extinct reptiles, reporting evidence of 13 independent acquisitions of osteoderms, the majority of which happened in the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. • Ait Haddou et al. (2026) report the discovery of lacertoid-type tracks (comparable to traces produced by modern lizards) from the Guettioua Formation (Morocco), representing the first record of such tracks from the Jurassic strata from Gondwana. • Piñuela et al. (2026) report the discovery of lizard trackways from the Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) strata of the Lastres Formation (Spain), interpreted as the latest occurrence of the ichnogenus Rhynchosauroides reported to date. • Evidence indicating that inner ear morphology is an accurate predictor of higher-order classification of extant and fossil toxicoferans is presented by Forcellati et al. (2026). • Xing et al. (2026) report evidence of a giant bone cell tumor within two digits of an anguimorph lizard specimen preserved within the Cretaceous Kachin amber (Myanmar). • Redescription and a study on the affinities of Prognathodon waiparaensis is published by Young et al. (2026). • Comans, Tobin & Totten (2026) reconstruct the thermoregulatory modes of Platecarpus and Tylosaurus from the Smoky Hill Chalk Member of the Niobrara Formation (Kansas, United States) on the basis stable oxygen isotope composition of tooth enamel, interpreted as consistent with endothermy. • Datta & Bajpai (2026) report the discovery of new fossil material of constrictor snakes from the Ypresian strata of the Cambay Shale and from the Lutetian strata from Panandhro (India), possibly representing new taxa, and preserving evidence of differences of body size of snakes from the two sites which might be indicative of ecological and environmental differences. • Liaw et al. (2026) report the discovery of a vertebra of a large-bodied python from the Pleistocene strata of the Chiting Formation (Taiwan). • The first fossil remains of the European ratsnake reported from Crete (Greece) are described from the Pleistocene strata from the Rethymnon fissure by Lizak et al. (2026). • Jansen et al. (2026) report the discovery of a new assemblage of squamate fossils from the Campanian strata of the Villeveyrac-Mèze basin (France), including the oldest European members of Pan-Shinisaurus, Madtsoiidae, Monstersauria and Iguanomorpha reported to date, and possibly the oldest known anguid worldwide. • Lemierre, Wilenzik & Orliac (2026) describe fossils of members of two snake assemblages from the Eocene and Oligocene strata from the Dams locality (Quercy Phosphorites Formation, France), providing evidence of a complete species turnover between the two assemblages. • Keenan Early et al. (2026) report evidence from the study of remains of extant squamates and squamate fossils from Pleistocene and early Holocene localities in Nevada, New Mexico and Texas (United States) indicative of utility of zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry for taxonomic identification of squamate fossils. Other lepidosauromorphs Other lepidosauromorph research • Haridy et al. (2026) describe new fossil material of Eilenodon robustus from the strata of the Morrison Formation from Utah and Wyoming (United States), and provide the first three-dimensional reconstructions of the skull anatomy of this taxon and the first detailed study of its tooth row histology. • Cavasin, Cerda & Apesteguía (2026) study the histology of the beak-like structure in Priosphenodon avelasi, and report that the studied structure is not formed by teeth fused to the premaxillae, but instead it is entirely formed by bone tissue. • Beccari et al. (2026) compare the anatomy of the axial skeleton of extant tuataras and their extinct relatives, and identify osteological features of significance in the studies of systematics and ecomorphology of extinct rhynchocephalians. == Ichthyosauromorphs ==

Ichthyosauromorph research • A study on the anatomy of the ichthyopterygian specimen NSM-PV-20028 from the Lower Triassic Osawa Formation (Japan), assigned to cf. Utatsusaurus hataii, is published by Yoshizawa & Tsuihiji (2026). • Evidence indicating that the relative size of the notochordal canal on vertebral centra can be used to study developmental stage of ichthyosaur fetuses is presented by Miedema & Maxwell (2026). • A new specimen of Temnodontosaurus cf. trigonodon, providing new information on the skeletal anatomy of Temnodontosaurus and preserving evidence of pathological changes in the shoulder and jaw joints that might have been related to the animal's hunting and feeding behavior, is described from the Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) strata of the Jurensismergel Formation (Germany) by Eggmaier & Albert (2026). • Jian et al. (2026) reconstruct the fossilization sequence of a three-dimensionally preserved specimen of Stenopterygius or Hauffiopteryx from the Posidonia Shale (Germany), reporting evidence of impact of coupled microbial redox processes and carbonate cementation on the preservation of the studied specimen. • Probable ophthalmosaurid specimen representing the first partially articulated ichthyosaur skeleton reported from the insular Caribbean is described from the Tithonian strata of the Guasasa Formation (Cuba) by Iturralde-Vinent et al. (2026). • Martinez-Motta et al. (2026) report evidence of preservation of integumentary tissues in a brachypterygiid ichthyosaur specimen from the Paja Formation (Colombia). == Sauropterygians ==

Sauropterygian research • Zhang et al. (2026) determine the age and duration of the Ladinian Xingyi Fauna on the basis of the study of astrochronology and cyclostratigraphy of the Nimaigu Section of the Falang Formation (China), providing evidence of brief duration of the typical species of this fauna, Keichousaurus hui. • The oldest simosaurid fossil material reported to date is documented from the Anisian strata from Makhtesh Ramon (Israel) by Cabezuelo-Hernández, de Miguel Chaves & Pérez-García (2026). • Zhao (2026) presents a standardized protocol for skeletal reconstruction of plesiosaurs, identifies skeletal proxies for estimates of plesiosaur body mass, and provides estimates of body lengths and masses of 27 plesiosaur models. • Redescription of the anatomy and a study on the affinities of Lusonectes sauvagei is published by Sachs & Madzia (2026). • A study on the anatomy and affinities of "Plesiosaurus" posidoniae is published by Sachs, Schweigert & Madzia (2026). • García-Guerrero et al. (2026) describe a cervical vertebra of a member of the subfamily Brachaucheninae from the Valanginian strata of the Rosablanca Formation (Colombia), representing the oldest fossil material of a large pliosaurid from the Lower Cretaceous strata in northern South America reported to date. • Probable elasmosaurid vertebra, representing the first plesiosaur record from Algeria, is described from the Coniacian strata of the Essen Formation in the Tébessa Mountains by Nadir Naimi et al. (2026). • Evidence of a healing fracture and periostitis is reported in elasmosaurid specimens from the Maastrichtian Snow Hill Island Formation (Antarctica) and Jagüel Formation (Argentina) by Mitidieri et al. (2026). • Marx, Szasz & Lindgren (2026) determine heat transfer in elasmosaurid models reconstructed with and without a layer of insulating blubber, and argue that a peripheral blubber layer was necessary for elasmosaurids inhabiting cold water regions. • Soto Acuña, Otero & Ortiz (2026) revise the fossil record of confirmed and purported polycotylids from the Upper Cretaceous strata from Chile, reinterpret some of the studied fossils as bones of elasmosaurids and hadrosauroid dinosaurs, and restrict known polycotylid record from Chile to the late Campanian to early Maastrichtian of the Magallanes Basin. • Drumheller et al. (2026) report the discovery of a fish tooth embedded in a cervical vertebra of a specimen of Polycotylus latipinnis from the Cretaceous Mooreville Chalk (Alabama, United States), interpreted as likely evidence of an attack by Xiphactinus. == Archosauromorphs ==

Archosaurs Other archosauromorphs Other archosauromorph research • Sarkar & Ray (2026) report evidence from the study of the bone histology of members of an assemblage of Colossosuchus techniensis from the Tiki Formation (India) indicative of an epidemic of persistent, recurrent bone disease in members of the studied community, likely resulting from a bacterial infection. • Trinidad et al. (2026) study the bone histology of Late Triassic vertebrates (mostly archosauromorphs) from the Pebbly Arkose Formation (Zimbabwe), reporting evidence of frequent interrupted growth in rhynchosaurs and suchians as well as evidence of faster and more continuous growth in dinosaurs, and interpret the studied vertebrates as likely living in a more arid resource-poor environment with less seasonal variation compared to their contemporaries from assemblages from Argentina, Brazil and India. == Turtles ==

Turtle research • Shvets et al. (2026) describe new fossils of turtles from the Lower Cretaceous (Valanginian) Murtoi Formation (Buryatia, Russia), including new fossil material of Kirgizemys dmitrievi providing new information on the anatomy of the species, and study the phylogenetic relationships of sinemydid/macrobaenid turtles. • Pérez-García et al. (2026) revise Neochelys arribasi, and support its recognition as a valid species. • Tong et al. (2026) describe indeterminate trionychoid remains with similarities to Basilochelys macrobios from the Lower Cretaceous strata from Koh Moul, representing the first record of a Mesozoic turtle from Cambodia. • Pochat-Cottilloux et al. (2026) report the first discovery of trionychid fossil material (including Trionyx cf. vindobonensis) from the Miocene strata of Poland, interpreted as indicative of environmental conditions suitable for animals requiring high temperatures between the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum and Late Miocene in the studied area. • Chatterji, Hutchinson & Jones (2026) study the phylogenetic relationships and biogeography of extant and fossil sea turtle groups, recovering Protostegidae as the sister group to the rest of Pan-Chelonioidea, and reporting evidence of North Atlantic origin of Chelonioidea. • Footprint traces interpreted as likely produced by a stampede of sea turtles panicked by an earthquake are reported from the Campanian strata from Monte Cònero (Italy) by Sandroni et al. (2026). • The first post-Cretaceous sea turtle remains from central Chile are reported from the Eocene strata of the Algarrobo beds by Otero et al. (2026). • Evidence of exploitation of European pond turtles by Neanderthals occupying the Neumark-Nord site (Germany) during the Last Interglacial is presented by Gaudzinski-Windheuser et al. (2026). • Helm et al. (2026) report the discovery of new tortoise tracks from the Pleistocene strata of the Waenhuiskrans Formation (South Africa), including new trace fossil evidence of presence of a Pleistocene tortoise larger than extant tortoises from southern Africa. • Cordelier & Tabouelle (2026) describe subfossil remains of members of the genus Cylindraspis from the collection of Paul Carié, and identify possible new diagnostic character in the skulls of members of the genus for distinguishing its species. • Hermanson & Evers (2026) report evidence of higher survivorship of durophagous turtles during the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event compared to other turtles. == Other reptiles ==

Other reptile research • Reisz et al. (2026) report the discovery of a mummified specimen of Captorhinus from the Permian strata from the Richards Spur locality (Oklahoma, United States), preserved with three-dimensional skin, protein remains and with cartilages of the ribcage. • Marchetti et al. (2026) report the discovery of resting trace with a probable bolosaurian skin impression from the Permian (Asselian) Goldlauter Formation (Germany), including a probable cloacal vent impression and the oldest definite impression of epidermal scales of a reptile reported to date, and name a new ichnotaxon Cabarzichnus pulchrus. • D'Ávila Burgardt et al. (2026) report the discovery of a new procolophonid lower jaw from the Lower Triassic Sanga do Cabral Formation (Brazil), differing from known procolophonid taxa from the site in dental morphology. • The first confirmed fossil material of Pareiasaurus serridens from the Ruhuhu Basin is reported from the Permian strata of the Usili Formation (Tanzania) by Maisch (2026). • Information on the inner ear anatomy of Eunotosaurus africanus is provided by Evers et al. (2026), who recognize similarities with both early neodiapsids and early turtles. • Matsumoto, Manabe & Evans (2026) describe new fossil material of members of Choristodera from the Lower Cretaceous Okurodani Formation (Japan), expanding known diversity of members of the group from the studied formation. ==Reptiles in general==

• A study on the age of the Lusitaniadalen Member of the Vikinghøgda Formation (Norway) is published by Kear et al. (2026), who constrain the oldest known oceanic reptiles described on the basis of fossils preserved in the studied formation as living approximately 1.24−2.63 million years after the Permian–Triassic extinction event. • Evidence from the study of coprolites from the Lower Triassic Nanlinghu Formation (China), indicative of a diversified dietary spectrum in marine reptiles from the Chaohu Fauna, is presented by Yao et al. (2026). • Numberger-Thuy et al. (2026) describe fossil material of a diverse reptile assemblage from the Rhaetian strata of the Exter Formation (Germany), including fossils of Pachystropheus, ?Kuehneosaurus, pterosaurs, theropod dinosaurs, a small crocodylomorph, late-surviving phytosaurs, the youngest well-dated aetosaur material reported to date and a probable lepidosaur tooth with grooves which might be evidence of presence of a venom delivery system. • Olsen & McDonald (2026) revise the fossil record of vertebrate (mostly reptilian) trace fossils from the Triassic-Jurassic strata in the Newark Supergroup, and divide them into temporally limited assemblages. • An ichthyosaur vertebra punctured by a large tooth of Pliosaurus, of uncertain provenance but likely originating from the Upper Jurassic strata from England (United Kingdom), is described by Gordon, Serafini & Brinkman (2026), providing direct evidence of trophic interactions between ichthyosaurs and pliosaurs. • Evidence of differences of biting mechanics of Late Cretaceous mosasaurs and polycotylid plesiosaurs from the Western Interior Seaway is presented by Della Giustina et al. (2026). • Evidence from the study of body size of reptiles from the Shungura Formation (Ethiopia), indicative of temporal coincidence between changes of maximum body size of members of the studied assemblage and local environmental changes (including changes in hydrological regimes and evaporation levels), is presented by Parker et al. (2026). • A second specimen of Yaverlandia bitholus is described by Naish & Sweetman (2026), who consider the dinosaurian affinities of the taxon to be questionable. • Roberts & Head (2026) report evidence from the study of vertebral morphology of extant and extinct reptiles indicative of at least four independent emergences of presacral vertebral columns made up of four regions in amniotes, of overall association of reptile body size with heterogeneity of the vertebral column in reptiles, and of elevated heterogeneity of the vertebral column relative of the body size in volant taxa. == References ==