Longisquama insignis prehistoric lizard. Computer illustration of a Longisquama insignis prehistoric lizard showing the feather-like scales that project from its back. L. insignis lived around 247 to 201 million years ago, from the Middle to Late Triassic period, in what is now Asia. One theory is that the projections on its back were used to support membranes that helped L. insignis to glide (shown here) similar to modern gliding lizards. Researchers are unsure as to whether L. insignis was a precursor to modern birds.