Unlocking Secrets of Survival: How Ancient Amphibians Thrived After Earth’s Greatest Mass Extinction by Preying on Freshwater Sources

Scientists at the University of Bristol have uncovered how ancient frog relatives, known as temnospondyls, survived after the largest mass extinction event in Earth’s history. This extinction, which happened 252 million years ago, wiped out about 90% of all species. The researchers found that these amphibians thrived by feeding on freshwater prey that other predators couldn’t reach.

In their study, published in Royal Society Open Science, the authors explored how temnospondyls adapted to survive drastic environmental changes during the Triassic period. They discovered that these amphibians had a flexible diet, allowing them to eat a variety of prey. While land-based predators struggled to find food, temnospondyls in freshwater areas had more stable resources to munch on.

Lead author Aamir Mehmood pointed out a key mystery: how did these water-loving creatures succeed in a time of extreme heat and turmoil? The Early Triassic was marked by volcanic eruptions, climate shifts, and even acid rain, creating a challenging habitat for many animals. Despite this, temnospondyls maintained a variety in body size, with some small ones eating insects and others larger ones preying on fish.

Interestingly, the diversity among temnospondyls increased about five million years after the mass extinction before declining again. This pattern suggests that while they initially thrived, their numbers decreased as dinosaurs and mammals began to emerge in the Middle Triassic.

Professor Mike Benton emphasized that temnospondyls managed to navigate through the empty “tropical dead zone” that formed after the extinction. Fossils found in places like South Africa, Australia, North America, and Europe indicate that they could move through this harsh landscape during cooler periods.

Aamir concluded that the temnospondyls might have survived the challenging conditions because of their ability to eat just about anything and find shelter in sparse water bodies. However, as new competitors like dinosaurs evolved, the temnospondyls could not keep up, leading to their long-term decline.

This research sheds light on how some species adapt and survive through the toughest times in history, offering insights into the resilience of life on Earth.

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