Ascendonanus nestleri

Stunning preservation in this arboreal varanopid that lived 290 million years ago in the Permian, long before dinosaurs evolved.

Found in a Pompeii-like ancient fossil forest in Chemnitz, Germany, the detail is so spectacular that skin, scales, the body outline and even eyelid ossicles are preserved. 

This fossil was described in 2018 as a new species, called Ascendonanus nestleri. Although lizard-like in appearance, this animal is more closely related to mammals. 

Study: Spindler et al. 2018. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12542-018-0405-9

Artwork: Also by Frederik Spindler.