Oldest Tadpole Fossil, Notobatrachus degiustoi, Discovered in Argentina, Dating Back 161 Million Years and Measuring 6.3 Inches

Nov 1, 2024, 10:01 PM

Paleontologists have discovered a remarkably preserved fossil of a tadpole, Notobatrachus degiustoi, dating back 161 million years in Patagonia, Argentina. This discovery pushes back the evolutionary origin of tadpoles by at least 20 million years, marking it as the oldest known tadpole fossil ever found. The specimen measures 6.3 inches in length and retains some soft tissues, making it one of the best-preserved fossils of its kind. The tadpole lived during the Jurassic period, coexisting with dinosaurs in a floodplain environment. This finding prompts researchers to reconsider the evolutionary history and role of stem tetrapods, particularly given that the lineage of this amphibian was thought to have been extinct 40 million years before its time.