Source: [Science](https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abg2756)

Year: 2023

Authors: Jessica L. Tucker, Zachary N. Brown, Daniel J. Field, William R. Branch, Alan H. Savitzky

Claim rationale:

The researchers studied the evolution of lizards over 200 million years, focusing on three key traits: body size, limb length, and diet. They found that these traits evolved in a predictable way, with similar patterns seen in different groups of lizards living in different environments. For example, lizards that lived in warm, dry climates tended to evolve smaller bodies and longer limbs, while lizards that lived in cool, wet climates tended to evolve larger bodies and shorter limbs. These findings suggest that the evolution of lizards is influenced by environmental factors, and that similar evolutionary patterns can occur in different groups of organisms.

Additional notes:

- The study included data from over 7,000 species of lizards.

- The researchers used a combination of field data, museum specimens, and computer modeling to analyze the evolution of lizard traits.

- This study provides new insights into the evolutionary history of lizards and suggests that evolution is more predictable than previously thought.