Salamander-Like Fossils from 230 Million Years Ago Show Startling Survival Strategies
The ability of Wyoming's ancient frogs to burrow in response to harsh climatic conditions provides insights into modern amphibian survival tactics in the face of climate change. In the region that is now Wyoming, the seasons were harsh 230 million years ago. After the mega-monsoon finished, the land would become severely dry after months of torrential rain. Such severe circumstances would have provided a huge challenge to amphibians, who need moist skin to survive. However, as evidenced by their peculiar fossils, one group of organis...