La Brea Tar Pits disgorge rare ice age toad
This marks only the second ice age amphibian found in North America—and it gives researchers vital information abot the ancient climate
In a remarkable discovery at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, paleoecologist J. Alberto Cruz found remains of a rare ice age toad, marking the second such amphibian fossil ever found in North America. The ancient toad, which lived around 45,000 years ago during the last ice age, provides crucial insights into the climate during that period.
Spadefoot toads, known for their fused hip and urostyle bones, are unusual among frogs and toads. The five bones discovered in the ice age specimen were unique and showed significant differences from modern-day spadefoots. While the exact age of the specimen is uncertain, its similarities with other tar deposit fossils suggest it dates back to the last ice age.
Amphibian fossils are rare due to their delicate bones, often overlooked during fossilization. However, when identified, they offer valuable information about past climates. Cruz's discovery also revealed a fossilized Mexican burrowing toad more than 1,500 miles north of its current habitat, indicating a significant shift in the distribution of these unique toads.
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