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Ancient Fossil Reveals Origins of Land Vertebrates

5/31/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A remarkable fossil of Westlothiana lizziae, unearthed in Scotland four decades ago, has been precisely dated to an astonishing 346 million years ago. This ancient tetrapod, a vital ancestor of all land vertebrates, sheds light on the pivotal emergence of vertebrates during Romer’s Gap, captivating palaeontologists with its significance.

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Story summary

A remarkable fossil of Westlothiana lizziae, unearthed in Scotland four decades ago, has been precisely dated to an astonishing 346 million years ago. This ancient tetrapod, a vital ancestor of all land vertebrates, sheds light on the pivotal emergence of vertebrates during Romer’s Gap, captivating palaeontologists with its significance.