The latest discovery, the oldest-known fossil of a giant tadpole, pushes back the record of ancient amphibians by about 20 million years, revealing important evolutionary insights.
This tadpole fossil, at about 6 inches long, represents a younger version of an extinct giant frog, helping narrow down when frogs transitioned from tadpoles.
Remarkably preserved with impressions of eyes and nerves, the fossil reveals a striking similarity to today's tadpoles, reflecting a survival strategy unchanged for millions of years.
The research provides clarity to the timeline of amphibian evolution, suggesting how ancient tadpoles link to modern frogs through their unchanged survival strategies.
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