A new Ice Age species was hiding in la brea tar pits fossils for decades
Scientists have discovered a new extinct amphibian species hiding in the fossil collections of Los Angeles’ La Brea Tar Pits. Named Spea labreae, the Ice Age spadefoot toad is an exceptionally rare find—only one other extinct Pleistocene amphibian has ever been identified in North America. Its bones had been sitting in collections since the 1950s before a researcher noticed features that set it…
In the La Brea Tar Pits, researchers have discovered a new species of extinct amphibian named Spea labreae. This rare find marks the first known Ice Age amphibian species discovered in North America. Despite being small compared to other Ice Age mammals, S. labreae's fossils could provide valuable insights into the climatic and environmental changes of the end of the last ice age.
The species was identified by Dr. Alberto Cruz, who was studying the museum's neglected reptile and amphibian collections. Initially, Cruz thought the unusual bones might belong to an injured animal, but further examination revealed they represented a distinct species. The discovery highlights how valuable information can still be found in old museum collections and how much remains to be uncovered at La Brea Tar Pits.
Amphibians are particularly useful in understanding climate change due to their sensitivity to environmental changes and limited mobility. Their delicate bones make them rare in the fossil record, making this discovery even more significant. The research also revealed the first known presence of the Mexican burrowing toad in the southwestern United States, indicating a major shift in the species' geographic range during the Ice Age's end.
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