The Evolutionary History of Tuatara and its Extinct Relatives

Rhynchocephalia (Tuatara) are a group of lizard-like reptiles that were species-rich and biogeographically widespread during the Mesozoic. Today, only the modern tuatara survives in New Zealand. Dr. David G. DeMar, Jr.'s presentation reveals new insights into the morphology and evolution of these reptiles on the basis of a nearly complete fossil skeleton of a new, small-bodied rhynchocephalian from Wyoming, U.S.A.