Frog evolution debate resolved

by Rachel Nixon | May 22, 2008 at 09:28 am

1721 views | 5 Recommendations | 28 comments

A fossil of an amphibian found in Texas in 1995 appears to have put an end to a lengthy debate about the evolution of frogs and salamanders.

The fossilized creature, known as Gerobatrachus hottoni, proves that some modern amphibians, frogs and salamanders evolved from an ancient amphibian group called temnospondyls, a Canadian-led team reports in the journal Nature.

"This fossil seals the gap," says team leader Jason Anderson, of University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Gerobatrachusboasts both frog and salamander features -- it has two fused bones inthe ankle normally only seen in salamanders, as well as a lightly builtand wide skull similar to that of a frog, the researchers report.

The tiny fossil, measuring 11 centimetres long, also points to when salamanders and frogs evolved into two distinct groups.

"Withthis new data, our best estimate indicates that frogs and salamandersseparated from each other sometime between 240 and 275 million yearsago, much more recently than previous molecular data had suggested,"co-author Robert Reisz, professor, University of Toronto Mississaugasays in a statement released with the study.

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rgiaco777

at 13:57 on May 22nd, 2008

Interesting article...I was happy to contribute with a photo.

xoroi78

at 14:05 on May 22nd, 2008

It was a little frog I found in a wet land in Menorca (Spain).

xoroi78 has contributed a photo to this story.

joanmazza

at 16:17 on May 22nd, 2008

I believe this is a 5-line skink, sunning itself after chilly weather in central Virginia, May 20, 2008.

joanmazza has contributed a photo to this story.

Blue Oblivion

at 16:28 on May 22nd, 2008

Very intriguing article, I am glad to have been able to contribute. Cool site too!

Blue Oblivion has contributed a photo to this story.

jdanvers

at 16:36 on May 22nd, 2008

jdanvers has contributed a photo to this story.

jdanvers

at 16:40 on May 22nd, 2008

Interesting article and happy to contribute! For what it is worth, this photo was taken at a state forest game land in Upstate N.Y (Newark Valley specifically).

opal692

at 16:58 on May 22nd, 2008

I found this salamander while I was digging up a plant to put in my garden. I ran inside and grabbed my camera and got a few lucky shots of him (or her) before it ran off.

JTopal692 has contributed a photo to this story.

Kerry Wixted

at 17:06 on May 22nd, 2008

A slippery salamander from PA!

Kerry Wixted has contributed a photo to this story.

Mommazilla

at 17:16 on May 22nd, 2008

This little guy is a salamander commonly found in Northern California. He made a quick getaway after the shot.

Mommazilla has contributed a photo to this story.

Safwan XIIIVIII

at 18:48 on May 22nd, 2008

Interesting article! Glad to contribute some photos for it. :)

www.DerechosAnimales.tk

at 19:14 on May 22nd, 2008

Sentient, though science still insists on using them as 'objects'.

www.DerechosAnimales.tk has contributed a photo to this story.

jriggert

at 19:55 on May 22nd, 2008

Found in a small pond near Braunschweig, Germany

jriggert has contributed a photo to this story.

matteo86photonature

at 21:01 on May 22nd, 2008

really interesting informations in this article.

I'm a student of zoology and I apreciate article of this kind.

greetings

Matteo

Crashmatt

at 21:31 on May 22nd, 2008

This photo was taken by a pool which has formed in a shallow basin by a ventilation shaft outside Middleton Mine, in Derbyshire.

Crashmatt has contributed a photo to this story.

cxfan

at 22:28 on May 22nd, 2008

This is just one of the many frogs in our pool. Jumping into the water when passing by, and making lots of noise when a plain crosses...

cxfan has contributed a photo to this story.

mohel92

at 00:14 on May 23rd, 2008

i took this shot of a salamander in soglio Switzerland ....

Luís Louro

at 00:26 on May 23rd, 2008

Nice article, happy to help with a photo!!!
cheers, Luís.

Luís Louro has contributed a photo to this story.

titter85

at 00:29 on May 23rd, 2008

Thanks for choosing my photo. I'm happy to contribute to this interesting article. Greets

titter85 has contributed a photo to this story.

oeimaging

at 05:20 on May 23rd, 2008

These two were found on my door step, at the back of my house. The day after, i found they had left all their frog spawn in a bucket full of water in the back garden.

oeimaging has contributed a photo to this story.

gillesdiaz

at 07:12 on May 23rd, 2008

It's great to contribute with this article; the only thing's, don't think my frog was aware of such an important appearing that she didn't make her self up to the shooting.
Apologize in behalf of her.

gillesdiaz has contributed a photo to this story.