Based on the provided reference, the frog fossil is estimated to be roughly 216 million years ago.
This significant find represents the first known and earliest equatorial remains of a salientian, the scientific group that includes all living frogs and their closest extinct relatives.
Understanding the Discovery
The referenced fossil sheds light on the ancient history of frogs. Key details from the discovery include:
- Type of Fossil: Remains of a salientian (an early relative of modern frogs).
- Geological Period: Late Triassic.
- Estimated Age: Roughly 216 million years ago.
- Location Significance: First known equatorial remains from this period.
Why is This Age Important?
Discoveries like this help paleontologists understand the early evolution and geographical distribution of major animal groups. Finding this fossil dating back to the Late Triassic provides crucial evidence about when and where the ancestors of modern frogs lived during a pivotal time in Earth's history, long before the age of dinosaurs reached its peak.
Here's a simple breakdown:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | Roughly 216 million years ago |
| Period | Late Triassic |
| Animal Group | Salientian (Frog relative) |
| Significance | Earliest known equatorial remains of group |
This age places the fossil within the Late Triassic period, a time when the supercontinent Pangea was still largely intact and early dinosaurs were beginning to rise to prominence. The survival and presence of early frog relatives in equatorial regions during this time offer valuable insights into ancient climates and ecosystems.
