Longisquama

Longisquama is a genus of extinctreptile containing only one species, L. insignis, known from a poorly preserved skeleton and several incomplete fossil impressions from the Middle to Late TriassicMadygen Formation of Kyrgyzstan. The generic name means "long scales", and the specific nameinsignis means "unusual", in Latin. The holotype skeleton is notable for a number of long, superficially feather-like structures growing from its back, now thought to represent a single row growing upwards from the midline. The affinities of Longisquama among reptiles have long been contentious, with some researchers controversially connecting Longisquama and its back structures to the origin of birds and feathers, a view which is largely rejected. In 2025, a close relative, Mirasaura was described from France, which shares the feather-like back structures. Phylogenetic analysis of Mirasaura suggests that it and by extension Longisquama belong to Drepanosauromorpha. It is now suggested that the back structures served for display.