The fossilized skull of an ancient amphibian ancestor found in the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has been named after Kermit the Frog.
Published Mar 22, 2024 1:03 PM EDT
Hotton and his team excavated fossils from north central Texas, where rust-colored rock outcrops known as the Red Beds date back to the early Permian period more than 270 million years ago. They collected so many fossils — including ancient reptiles, amphibians and sail-backed synapsids, the precursors to modern mammals — that they couldn't study them all in detail.
“One fossil immediately jumped out at me—this really well-preserved, mostly prepared skull,” Mann said.Together, So and Mann studied the skull, which had a mix of traits that were different from those seen in older tetrapods, the ancient ancestors of amphibians. The skull's proportions likely helped Kermitops eat grub-like insects, and it probably looked a bit like a stout salamander.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Prehistoric Amphibian Ancestor Resembling Kermit the Frog Discovered in Smithsonian CollectionResearchers have discovered a prehistoric amphibian ancestor in the Smithsonian collection that resembles Kermit the Frog. The fossil, named 'Kermitia', is believed to be over 200 million years old and provides insights into the evolution of amphibians.
Read more »
New proto-amphibian species named after Kermit the FrogLaura is a science news writer, covering a wide variety of subjects, but she is particularly fascinated by all things aquatic, paleontology, nanotechnology, and exploring how science influences daily life. Laura is a proud former resident of the New Jersey shore, a competitive swimmer, and a fierce defender of the Oxford comma.
Read more »
Newly identified fossil named for Kermit the Frog could help solve evolutionary puzzlePaleontologists have discovered a previously unknown ancient species: Kermitops — an amphibian that predates the dinosaurs and reveals the complexity of frog evolution.
Read more »
Creature named after Kermit the Frog offers clues on amphibian evolution, scientists sayTexas scientists say that a fossilized skull dating back 270 million years was named Kermitops gratus after the beloved Muppet character Kermit the Frog.
Read more »
New 270-million-year-old amphibian species could help explain evolution of frogsResearchers named the species Kermitus after Kermit the Frog.
Read more »
Watch Willie Nelson Duet With Kermit The Frog At Luck ReunionHaving previously covered the green Muppet's iconic 'Rainbow Connection,' Nelson welcomed Kermit for a truly heartwarming collaboration.
Read more »