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Two hundred and thirty million years ago, in what is now Wyoming, the climate was dominated by drastic seasonal changes. Heavy monsoon rains irrigated the region for months,
Two hundred and thirty million years ago, in what is now Wyoming, the climate was dominated by drastic seasonal changes. Heavy monsoon rains irrigated the region for months, followed by extreme droughts. Such harsh conditions pose serious challenges for amphibians, which need moist environments to survive.
But a group of salamander-like creatures have developed unique adaptations to withstand these extremes, as recently discovered extraordinary fossils show. A recent study describes a new species of fossil amphibian preserved in torpedo burrows. These ancient creatures apparently used these burrows to wait out dry seasons, exhibiting an early state of dormancy, a hibernation-like state of rest.
Lead author Cal Soh, a junior research fellow at the Field Museum in Chicago, explains that Wyoming experienced some of the most dramatic seasonal impacts during the Triassic period due to megamonsoons impacting the Pangea supercontinent.
“How did these animals stay moist and prevent drying out during the hot, dry season that lasted several months?” So they asked. “We find these fossils inside these cylindrical structures, up to 12 inches tall, that we interpret as nests.”
The discovery was made in 2014 when David Lovelace, a research assistant at the University of Wisconsin Museum of Geology, was searching for fossils in a layer of rock he called the Serendipity Beds. Lovelace noticed cylindrical structures that resembled filled nests and collected several of them for analysis. While examining one of the preserved slots in the laboratory, he found a small, toothed skull.
“I saw the sharp fangs and my first thought was that it was a baby alligator,” Lovelace recalled. “But when we got everything together and prepared it, we realized it was some kind of amphibian.”
Working with Jason Pardo, a research assistant at the Field Museum who specializes in fossil amphibians, the team performed high-resolution CT scans of the burrows, revealing more skeletal remains. Realizing the importance of their findings, the researchers continued digging and eventually collected approximately 80 fossilized nests, many containing skulls and bones.
Partial remains indicate that these amphibians were about 30 cm long and had small, underdeveloped arms. Their skulls were scoop-shaped; This suggests that they probably used their heads to dig burrows in muddy river beds during dry seasons.
“They spent the dry season underground, in a hibernation-like state, until the monsoon returned a few months later,” So explained.
Unfortunately, some of these creatures never emerged, possibly due to changes in river beds that dried out their nests and led to their extinction. Amphibians named after Shoshone: Ninumbeehan dookoodukah Means “little people’s carnivore”. This name honors the Eastern Shoshone people and refers to the creature’s sharp teeth.
The fossils were discovered on the ancestral lands of the Eastern Shoshone, on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The research team established a lasting collaborative relationship with the local community.
“We are interested in education, so we met with the Eastern Shoshone Tribe Historic Preservation Officer and he put us in touch with the schools,” Lovelace said.
Middle school students at Fort Washakie, along with their teachers and seniors, joined researchers in the field. Elders shared information about the area and students helped search for nests and bones. Amanda LeClair-Diaz, coordinator of the Office of Indian Education and co-author of the paper, emphasized the importance of this collaboration.
“This is a process where scientists, community members, educators, high school students, and Eastern Shoshone elders come together to learn about these fossils and choose a Shoshone name for the fossils.” Ninumbeehan dookoodukahIt strengthens the intergenerational bond that the Shoshones have with our homeland. and the creatures that exist in that environment,” Leclerc-Diaz said.
Discovery Ninumbeehan dookoodukah It offers valuable information about life in the Triassic period. The rarity of small amphibians from this age in the fossil record makes this finding particularly important.
“We’re finding some big ones, but the little ones are really hard to find,” Pardo said. These amphibians’ survival strategy of burrowing to escape extreme weather conditions mirrors the behavior of some modern species.
Understanding how ancient creatures adapted to extreme climates could provide insight into how modern amphibians might cope with climate change.
“Path Ninumbeehan “Slowing down their metabolism to wait for dry weather suggests that some modern amphibian lineages that share similar seasonal behaviors may have achieved greater survival than some models suggest,” Pardo said. “It’s a little glimmer of hope.”
The research not only leads to the emergence of a new species, but also strengthens the connection between science and the knowledge of indigenous peoples. Combining paleontology with community collaboration, this research enriches our understanding of Earth history and contributes to the understanding of the complex relationships between ancient creatures and their environments.
Resilience strategies as climate change poses new challenges Ninumbeehan dookoodukah It could provide hope and guide conservation efforts for modern amphibians facing similar environmental pressures. The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Source: Port Altele
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