Archaeologists have uncovered a fossilized dinocephalosaurus along with an embryo which provides the first evidence for live birth.

The 250-million-year-old fossil was located in China wherein it still harbors the embryo inside. The dinocephalosaurus is part of the archosaur family, perviously believed to only lay eggs.

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The University of Queensland's School of Earth and Environmental Sciences conducted the study that uncovered the first evidence of live birth among the animal group once thought to only lay eggs.

Professor Jonathan Aitchison, co-author of the study released by the university, explained that while live birth is common in mammals, it was previously believed that the Archosauromorpha group was only able to lay eggs.

Modern day crocodiles and birds are considered to be a part of the Archosauromorpha group, making this recent discovery quite unexpected in the field.

The dinocephalosaurus was a long-necked marine animal that thrived in the ancient waters of South China during the Middle Triassic Period. Archaeologists claim that the fossil was "well-preserved" and quite rare, added to the fact that it bears an embryo still inside the mother.

Scientists ponder on the fact that a trait once believed to be fixed, may be open to certain exemptions. Birthing in animal biology were thought to be relatively straightforward wherein the structure of the animal should display tell tale signs whether it laid eggs or birthed live young.

It was once thought that egg-laying was a form of defense mechanism during the harsh era during the early stages of the planet, and that live birth only evolved later on future generations.

The recent findings support the notion that there are quite a number of misconceptions on these ancient creatures. The team of researchers are narrowing down any possibility of misdiagnosis, and are considering the possibility of the large animal digesting the embryo as a result of cannibalism.

Liu, a professor at the University of Technology in China, had stated that the discovery pushes back the findings of reproductive biology in the archosauromorphs by about 50 million years.