Story perspectives

Ancient Fossils Reveal Coexistence of Early Triassic Predators

2/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

A study in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology reexamines 250-million-year-old Early Triassic fossils from the Kimberley region, Western Australia.
It reassesses skull fragments of two temnospondyls, Erythrobatrachus noonkanbahensis and Aphaneramma, first discovered in the 1960s.
The study finds Erythrobatrachus noonkanbahensis was a top predator with a robust skull, while Aphaneramma had a slender snout for catching small fish.
Their coexistence in the habitat indicates post-end-Permian dispersal.

1 of 1

Story summary

A study in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology reexamines 250-million-year-old Early Triassic fossils from the Kimberley region, Western Australia.
It reassesses skull fragments of two temnospondyls, Erythrobatrachus noonkanbahensis and Aphaneramma, first discovered in the 1960s.
The study finds Erythrobatrachus noonkanbahensis was a top predator with a robust skull, while Aphaneramma had a slender snout for catching small fish.
Their coexistence in the habitat indicates post-end-Permian dispersal.