Submitted via IRC for Soybull
The first frog fossil from Antarctica has been found:
Scientists have previously found evidence of giant amphibians[*] that walked Antarctica during the Triassic Period, over 200 million years ago, but no traces on the continent of amphibians like those around today (SN: 3/23/15). The shape of the newly discovered bones indicates that this frog belonged to the family of Calyptocephalellidae, or helmeted frogs, found today in South America.
The fossilized frog's modern relatives live exclusively in the warm, humid central Chilean Andes. This suggests that similar climate conditions existed on Antarctica around 40 million years ago, researchers report April 23 in Scientific Reports.
That offers a clue about how fast Antarctica switched from balmy to bitter cold (SN: 4/1/20). Antarctica quickly froze over after splitting from Australia and South America, which were once all part of the supercontinent Gondwana (SN: 10/10/19).
[*] Behind a paywall.
Journal Reference:
T. Mörs, M. Reguero and D. Vasilyan. First fossil frog from Antarctica: implications for Eocene high latitude climate conditions and Gondwanan cosmopolitanism of Australobatrachia. Scientific Reports. Published online April 23, 2020. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61973-5.
The jokes almost write themselves. Who will be first to leap at the opportunity?
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday April 25 2020, @01:34AM (4 children)
Its almost as if Mother Nature doesn't like us. Remember to say your prayers to St Greta before you go to sleep tonight.
(Score: 0, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday April 25 2020, @03:15AM (3 children)
Haven't heard a word from her since the Chinese flu pandemic started.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday April 25 2020, @11:47AM
My prayers have been answered!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday April 25 2020, @01:01PM (1 child)
>> Haven't heard a word from her
She got hoarse throat from yelling "you're stealing my future" over and over again at a non-sentient virus.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday April 25 2020, @04:15PM
It was a non-sentient politician.