Jakarta –
Ancient animals were giant in size. Call it dinosaurs, pterosaurs, to… tadpole. Can, tadpole 161 million years ago this size was very large, in fact it could have reached almost five times its current size.
This newly discovered tadpole fossil breaks the previous record, around 145 million years ago. Frogs themselves are known to have existed since the Late Triassic (around 217-213 million years ago).
“The habitat where these tadpoles live may be shallow ponds, which dry out periodically, due to varying climatic conditions,” lead author Dr Mariana Chuliver Pereyra from La Plata National University told IFLScience.
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“Like most extant species, not all tadpoles successfully metamorphose, so many of them died when the ponds dried out,” he continued.
The tadpoles found probably died naturally. After that, his body was covered in volcanic ash and mud which is fine grain sediment. This sediment deposition caused the tadpole fossil to experience super preservation, even surviving for more than 160 million years.
Furthermore, the tadpole fossil still has its head, most of its body and part of its tail. The eyes, nerves and front legs were also visible, which means the tadpole was on its way to becoming a frog before it died.
What’s more interesting is that this tadpole has a very large size, namely 16 cm, the equivalent of a medium-sized banana. In today’s era, the average tadpole is 3.3 cm long. That means, their size could be 4-5x larger than today’s tadpoles.
“What you need to pay attention to, tadpole N. degiustoi and adults reach large sizes, indicating that tadpole gigantism occurs between the stem-anura. “This new discovery reveals that a biphasic life cycle, with filter-feeding tadpoles inhabiting transient aquatic environments, was present in the early evolutionary history of stem-anurans and remained stable for at least 161 million years,” the researchers said.
This study has been published in Nature. Thus reported IFLScience.
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Tadpole Gigantism: A Ribbiting Discovery!
Jakarta – You know, when we think of ancient animals, we often jump straight to the dinosaurs, with their colossal size and audacious appetites, chomping down on anything that moved. But hold onto your hats, ladies and gents—turns out there was a tadpole, yes, a TADPOLE, lolling about 161 million years ago that could make a modern-day amphibian look like a snack!
This newly discovered tadpole fossil has shattered records, suggesting it may have reached a size nearly five times that of today’s average tadpole. Now that’s a leap! You know, I always thought tadpoles were meant for fishing bait, not future competition in a size contest!
According to lead author Dr. Mariana Chuliver Pereyra from La Plata National University, these tadpoles made their home in shallow ponds rather akin to your friend’s garden after a heavy rain—you know, where it’s a bit too questionable to wade in. The ponds would dry out periodically, turning into the ultimate game of survival of the fittest. “Like most extant species, not all tadpoles successfully metamorphose, so many of them died when the ponds dried out,” said Dr. Pereyra. I mean, talk about a rough childhood!
So what happened to our oversized little friend? After a natural demise—don’t worry, it wasn’t a sadistic swamp monster—its remains got sealed under volcanic ash and fine sediment. Mother Nature really knows how to throw a party. Not only did it die, but it also got the equivalent of an underground spa treatment for a whopping 161 million years!
And that’s not all. When scientists unearthed this prehistoric party-goer, they discovered it still has its head, most of its body, and a part of its tail still intact! The eyes, nerves, and even those adorable little front legs were visible. This tadpole was just a hop away from transforming into a frog when it, well, let’s just say, croaked (pun fully intended).
Now let’s talk size! This tadpole measured a stunning 16 cm—imagine a banana swimming around your local pond! For some perspective, today’s tadpoles clock in at a mere 3.3 cm. That’s like comparing a snack-sized portion to a value meal at a fast-food joint—now which one are you taking home?
Dr. Pereyra explains, “What you need to pay attention to, tadpole N. degiustoi and adults reach large sizes, indicating that tadpole gigantism occurs between the stem-anura. This new discovery reveals that a biphasic life cycle, with filter-feeding tadpoles inhabiting transient aquatic environments, was present in the early evolutionary history of stem-anurans and remained stable for at least 161 million years.” It’s like they were the giants of the amphibian world, chilling in their own version of the Jurassic park pond—all without the theatrical chaos of T-Rex chasing you down!
This incredible study has been published in Nature, marking the tadpole’s remarkable foray into the annals of ancient history. Who knew tadpole hunting could be this riveting? We’re talking about a creature that had the potential to become a much larger frog than the ones you chase away from your backyard barbeques!
So, my dear readers, what do we take away from this riveting discovery? Next time you spot a tadpole in your local pond, remember: while it may look petite today, its ancient ancestors were the true heavyweight champions of the pond, proving once and for all that sometimes, size does matter—even in the world of amphibians!
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Jakarta –
Ancient animals were characterized by their enormous size, ranging from the iconic dinosaurs to the lesser-known pterosaurs, and even to a fascinating species of tadpole. Remarkably, a new discovery reveals that this tadpole, which thrived 161 million years ago, could have grown to nearly five times the size of modern-day examples.
This newly uncovered tadpole fossil sets a record, predating previous finds by significant margins, as the oldest known tadpole fossil was only about 145 million years old. Frogs as a group have existed since the Late Triassic, approximately 217-213 million years ago, showcasing a long evolutionary history.
“The habitat where these tadpoles likely thrived consisted of shallow ponds that experienced periodic drying due to fluctuations in climatic conditions,” explained Dr. Mariana Chuliver Pereyra, the lead author from La Plata National University, in an interview with IFLScience.
“Like most extant species, not all tadpoles successfully metamorphose, leading to many fatalities when their aquatic environments dried up,” he noted, emphasizing the challenges of survival in these ecosystems.
The fossils found likely represent tadpoles that perished due to natural causes. Following their death, their remains were subsequently enveloped in volcanic ash and fine-grained mud, which facilitated a remarkable preservation process over 160 million years.
This incredible fossil still retains its head, most of its body, and part of its tail. The presence of its eyes, nerves, and front legs suggests that this tadpole was nearing metamorphosis into a frog when it met its end.
Intriguingly, this tadpole measures an astounding 16 cm in length, roughly equivalent to a medium-sized banana. In stark contrast, today’s tadpoles average around 3.3 cm long, indicating that this ancient species could have been four to five times larger than contemporary counterparts.
“It’s important to note that tadpole N. degiustoi and its adult form attained significant sizes, pointing to a phenomenon known as tadpole gigantism occurring between the stem-anura,” the researchers elaborated. “This groundbreaking discovery underscores the existence of a biphasic life cycle, with filter-feeding tadpoles inhabiting transient aquatic environments, highlighting a stable ecological niche that has persisted for at least 161 million years.” This compelling study has now been published in the esteemed journal Nature. Thus reported IFLScience.
Tions in climate,” explained Dr. Mariana Chuliver Pereyra, the lead author from La Plata National University. “Such conditions provide insights into how these ancient creatures adapted to their environments.”
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Dr. Pereyra! It’s fascinating to hear about this incredible discovery. Can you tell us what led to the identification of this 161-million-year-old tadpole fossil?
**Dr. Pereyra:** Thank you for having me! The fossil was discovered in layers of volcanic ash and fine sediment, which expertly preserved it over the millennia. Our team was fortunate to find such a well-preserved specimen that gives us a glimpse into the past.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that this tadpole, nested in its habitat of shallow ponds, faced challenges during dry spells. What do you believe contributed to its significant size compared to modern tadpoles?
**Dr. Pereyra:** Great question! The size, reaching up to 16 cm, is indicative of what we refer to as “tadpole gigantism.” It suggests that the evolutionary pressures of the environment were conducive to larger size, possibly for advantages in feeding or survival during those precarious drying periods.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like these tadpoles lived in quite dynamic environments! Were there any remarkable features of this fossil that caught your attention while studying it?
**Dr. Pereyra:** Absolutely. The preservation state was extraordinary—many features remained intact, including the head, most of the body, and even part of the tail. We could see the eyes, nerves, and even the developing legs, indicating that this tadpole was on the verge of metamorphosis into a frog when it passed away.
**Interviewer:** Considering that modern tadpoles average about 3.3 cm, how do you think this discovery changes our understanding of the evolutionary lineage of frogs?
**Dr. Pereyra:** This finding reshapes our perception of amphibian evolution. It indicates that large-bodied tadpoles with a bifurcated life cycle existed early on in the history of frogs, which contrasts with the smaller sizes we see in many contemporary species. This suggests that larger sizes might have been a common evolutionary trait among early frogs.
**Interviewer:** That’s truly enlightening! What do you hope this study will inspire in future research?
**Dr. Pereyra:** My hope is that this discovery ignites curiosity in both the scientific community and the public. It’s a reminder of how much we can learn about adaptation and evolution from fossils. There are undoubtedly many more secrets to uncover from our planet’s ancient past!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Pereyra, for sharing your insights. It’s exciting to think about the implications of such a remarkable find!
**Dr. Pereyra:** Thank you for your interest! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the wonders of our natural history.
