Oldest Tadpole Fossil Unearthed in Argentina Reveals Ancient Frog Evolution and Modern Vulnerability

October 30, 2024
Oldest Tadpole Fossil Unearthed in Argentina Reveals Ancient Frog Evolution and Modern Vulnerability
  • A newly discovered frog fossil, identified as the oldest tadpole ever found, dates back between 161 to 168 million years.

  • This remarkably preserved specimen features imprints of soft tissues, including eyeballs, gills, and nerves.

  • The tadpole's body structure closely resembles that of modern tadpoles, with spiny gill projections indicating a filter-feeding method for consuming plankton and algae.

  • Paleontologist Federico Agnolín and his team discovered the fossil by accident while searching for dinosaur fossils in Argentina's Estancia La Matilde.

  • The remains, found in January 2020, belong to the species Notobatrachus degiustoi and are notable for their size, measuring six inches in length.

  • The well-preserved fossil suggests the tadpole was close to metamorphosis, indicating it would not grow larger than the adult frogs found in the same quarry.

  • Notobatrachus degiustoi likely thrived in shallow, seasonal ponds and resembled modern frogs, with adult forms probably being bulky toads that primarily fed on insects.

  • The study's results, published on October 30, 2024, in the journal Nature, underline the evolutionary stability of the anuran life cycle.

  • Jodi Rowley from the Australian Museum remarked that the discovery affirms the stability of the typical frog life cycle we learn about today.

  • This discovery highlights both the evolutionary success of frogs and their current vulnerability to extinction, exacerbated by their reliance on both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

  • Amphibians, including frogs, are crucial indicator species for their ecosystems, but over 40 percent face extinction today due to various threats including habitat destruction and climate change.

  • Researcher Mariana Chuliver expresses hope for further funding to search for more tadpole fossils in the La Matilde Formation to enhance the fossil record.

Summary based on 11 sources


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