"Kermit the Frog-Inspired Fossil Unlocks Amphibian Evolution Puzzle"
TL;DR
A newly described species of proto-amphibian, named Kermitops gratus after Kermit the Frog, has been discovered by paleontologists at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The fossilized skull, resembling a "stout salamander" with a "cartoonishly wide-eyed face," was found in the museum's archives and is thought to be a distant relative of modern amphibians. This finding could provide insights into the evolution of amphibians and their common ancestors, shedding light on how frogs and salamanders developed specialized traits.
Topics:sciencepaleontology#amphibian#evolution#kermitops-gratus#paleontology#smithsonian-national-museum-of-natural-history
- 270 million-year-old fossil named after Kermit the Frog Livescience.com
- Researchers found a tiny skull with wide eyes and a cartoonish grin. It could help solve an evolutionary puzzle CNN
- New 270-million-year-old amphibian species could help explain evolution of frogs ABC News
- Prehistoric Amphibian Ancestor Is Named for Kermit the Frog The New York Times
- Creature named for Kermit the Frog offers clues on amphibian evolution Reuters
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on Livescience.com