A rare discovery of a fossilized amphibian, similar in appearance to the Chinese giant salamander, has been made in Australia. The fossil was found by a retired chicken farmer in the 1990s while collecting stones for a garden wall. The specimen was later handed over to the Australian Museum in Sydney, where researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have now studied and described it. The fossil belongs to a group of extinct animals known as Temnospondylen, which lived before and during the time of the dinosaurs. The discovery is considered one of the most significant in New South Wales in the last 30 years.
According to the publication in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, the amphibian species, named Arenaerpeton supinatus, lived in freshwater rivers in the Sydney basin during the Triassic period, 240 million years ago. The researchers believe that the animal primarily hunted ancient fish, such as Cleithrolepis, but was otherwise distinct from Arenaerpeton. The fossil shows that the creature could grow up to 1.2 meters in length, making it one of the largest known amphibian species. Some Temnospondylen lived in Australia up to 120 million years after Arenaerpeton, and their size may have contributed to their long existence.
Dr. Matthew McCurry, an expert from UNSW and the Australian Museum, highlights the significance of the discovery, stating that it is a unique example of a group of extinct animals and that it is rare to find skeletons where the head and body are still connected, let alone preserved soft tissue. The researchers hope that the discovery will shed light on the evolution of amphibians and their role in the ecosystem during the Triassic period.
In conclusion, the discovery of the fossilized amphibian in Australia is a significant find that provides insight into the evolution of amphibians during the Triassic period. The discovery is considered one of the most important in New South Wales in the last 30 years and sheds light on the existence of Temnospondylen, a group of extinct animals that lived before and during the time of the dinosaurs. The researchers hope that the discovery will lead to further understanding of the role of amphibians in the ecosystem during the Triassic period.
