A Triassic stem-salamander from Kyrgyzstan and the origin of salamanders
Rainer R. Schoch, Ralf Werneburg, Sebastian Voigt
Abstract
, a hitherto enigmatic tetrapod from the Middle/Late Triassic of Kyrgyzstan, which we identify as the geologically oldest stem-group salamander. This sheds light not only on the early evolution of the salamander body plan, but also on the origin of the group as a whole. The new, second specimen is derived from the same beds as the holotype, the Madygen Formation of southwestern Kyrgyzstan. It reveals a range of salamander characters in this taxon, pushing back the rock record of urodeles by at least 60 to 74 Ma (Carnian-Bathonian). In addition, this stem-salamander shares plesiomorphic characters with temnospondyls, especially branchiosaurids and amphibamiforms.
Topics & Concepts
SalamanderTetrapod (structure)PaleontologyBiologyRange (aeronautics)TaxonMesozoicExtant taxonPaleozoicEarly TriassicCaudataZoologyEvolutionary biologyPermianStructural basinMaterials scienceComposite materialAmphibian and Reptile BiologyPaleontology and Evolutionary BiologyTurtle Biology and Conservation