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The recent identification of a prehistoric amphibian predecessor has resulted in it being given the name of Kermit the Frog.
Researchers examined the fossilized skull of a one-inch creature, which had prominent, round eye sockets.
They named the prehistoric creature, that lived around 270 million years ago, Kermitops gratus, after the bright green star of The Muppet Show created by American puppeteer Jim Henson.
According to Calvin So, a PhD candidate at George Washington University, choosing the name Kermit carries important consequences for connecting the work of paleontologists in museums with the wider audience.
Since this creature shares a common ancestor with modern amphibians and Kermit is a well-known amphibian figure, it was fitting to call it by this name.
Forty years ago, scientists found the specimen in the Red Beds region of Texas, USA. However, it was not thoroughly studied until recently, when it was added to the fossil collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
(right)
The skull of Kermitops, a fossil frog, is displayed on the left, while the skull of a modern frog is seen on the right.
In 2021, Dr. Arjan Mann, a palaeontologist at the museum, finally found and examined a fossil. He noted that it was a “highly intact skull that had been well-prepared.”
Dr. Mann and his assistant, Mr. So, classified the fossil as a temnospondyl, a variety of prehistoric amphibian relatives that existed from 360 to 200 million years ago.
Kermit the frog
It is believed that these organisms were some of the earliest amphibians and played a crucial role in the advancement of life from aquatic to terrestrial environments.
The examination of the skull revealed a combination of characteristics, which the researchers refer to as a fusion of traits. These traits differ from those observed in the skulls of earlier tetrapods, the predecessors of amphibians and other existing vertebrates.
They stated that the section of the head located behind the eyes of the Kermitops was considerably shorter compared to its extended and curved snout.
The researchers speculate that the skull proportions of Kermitops, which likely had a similar appearance to a thick-bodied salamander, would have aided in its ability to catch small insect-like prey.
It is challenging to comprehend the origins of frogs, salamanders, and their relatives due to the scarcity of early fossil evidence of amphibians and their ancestors.
The investigators stated that Kermitops provides insight into how to connect this “gigantic gap” in the fossil record.
According to Dr Mann, further exploration in this field is necessary for paleontologists to continue their research.
“Palaeontology is always more than just dinosaurs, and there are lots of cool evolutionary stories and mysteries still waiting to be answered.
We simply have to continue searching.
Source: independent.co.uk
