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Ancient Frog Fossil Reshapes Evolutionary History of Australia

5/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A groundbreaking study has unveiled Litoria tylerantiqua, the oldest tree frog fossil in Australia, dating back 55 million years. Discovered in Murgon, Queensland, this finding reshapes our understanding of the evolutionary divide between Australian and South American tree frogs, indicating it happened much earlier than believed. It also sheds light on frog resilience during extinction events.

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Story summary

A groundbreaking study has unveiled Litoria tylerantiqua, the oldest tree frog fossil in Australia, dating back 55 million years. Discovered in Murgon, Queensland, this finding reshapes our understanding of the evolutionary divide between Australian and South American tree frogs, indicating it happened much earlier than believed. It also sheds light on frog resilience during extinction events.