“The world’s oldest salamander fossils, according to a recent study headed by academics from University College London, were discovered in Scotland”. The study, which was written up in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), goes into detail about the specimen, which is thought to be the oldest salamander fossil discovered in Europe.
As an example of an amphibian, salamanders should be mentioned. They are more erratic in terms of size and shape than frogs, though, and have a tail. Over 700 varieties of salamanders can be found in different freshwater and wooded settings throughout the northern hemisphere, as per released statement. They are well known for being able to generate new organs and limbs.
The Middle Jurassic rocks on the Isle of Skye include the fossilised remains of an animal genus called Marmorerpeton, which dates back 166 million years. This new species is known as Marmorerpeton wakei. The species bears Professor David Wake’s name, a late American expert on salamander evolution.
The most recent research demonstrates how the unique Scottish fossil salamander retained powerful jaws and distinct, conspicuous projections behind the eyes although having a wide, shallow frog-like head. Analysis of the skull top bones reveals that it had crocodile-like ornamentation, distinguishing it from contemporary salamanders. Researchers further pointed out that Marmorerpeton wakei’s deep tail and leg bones indicate the salamander was underwater and most likely utilised its broad jaws to suction feed on food, similar to how modern hellbenders in North America do today.
“The fossil is definitely a salamander but unlike anything alive today. It highlights the importance of the fossil record for preserving combinations of anatomical features that do not exist in any living animal”, said by Marc Jones in a Statement.
When describing the look of the ancient salamander, Jones noted that although researchers had not anticipated it, the large bony extensions behind the eye do exist in fossil salamanders from slightly younger rocks. Jones says that, it was still unclear what they were there for.
imaage credit : phys
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