The fossil skull of Kermitops. (IMAGE)
Caption
The fossil skull of Kermitops.
The skull possesses a mishmash of traits that were different from features seen in the skulls of older tetrapods, the ancient ancestors of amphibians and other living four-legged vertebrates. For example, the region of the skull behind the animal’s eyes was much shorter than its elongated, curved snout. These skull proportions helped the animal, which likely resembled a stout salamander, snap up tiny grub-like insects.
Scientists have uncovered the fossilized skull of a 270-million-year-old ancient amphibian ancestor in the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. In a paper published today, March 21, in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, the team of researchers described the fossil as a new species of proto-amphibian, which they named Kermitops gratus in honor of the iconic Muppet, Kermit the Frog.
Note: USNM PAL 407585, Department of Paleobiology, Smithsonian Institution.
Credit
Brittany M. Hance, Smithsonian.
Usage Restrictions
News media use of the photos in relation to the study is only permitted with attribution.
License
Original content