Scientists have recently discovered a prehistoric amphibian species that is believed to be the precursor to modern frogs, salamanders, and caecilians. Named Kermitops gratus, after the iconic frog Kermit the Frog, the fossilized skull of this creature was found in the Smithsonian’s collection and had gone unstudied for about 40 years. The skull, which measures about 1.2 inches long, is thought to have lived in prehistoric Texas between 298.9 and 272.3 million years ago.
Despite its name, Kermitops had a body more similar to a salamander and was around six to seven inches long. Its unique features, such as elongated snout and eye sockets with eyelid bones, suggest that it had specialized traits that are no longer present in modern amphibians. The discovery of Kermitops has provided important insights into the evolution of amphibians and helped scientists better understand the origins of these animals.
The fossil, belonging to a group called temnospondyls, has led researchers to conclude that it belongs to a previously unidentified genus. The study of Kermitops allows scientists to bridge the gap in the fossil record and trace back the origins of modern amphibians. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the evolution of these species and how they developed their specialized traits over millions of years.
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