A breathtaking fossil, uncovered by a retired poultry farmer, has garnered the attention of experts who have identified it as a previously unknown amphibian species from the Triassic era.
This ancient creature once traversed the freshwater streams of the Sydney basin approximately 240 million years ago.
Mihail Mihailidis, the owner of the sandstone slab, which he had acquired nearly three decades ago for his garden, stumbled upon an astonishing revelation while cleaning it.
The fossilised remains of a 1.5-meter-long creature, predating the existence of dinosaurs, emerged from the stone’s surface. The significance of the find reverberated globally, with media outlets like Time Magazine showcasing it, amplifying the recognition of Mihailidis’ unique discovery.
The discovery was showcased at a Sydney exhibition, captivating the public’s imagination. However, for more than 25 years, the fossil’s identity remained shrouded in mystery.
Finally, this enigma was unravelled by palaeontologist Lachlan Hart, whose findings have been documented in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
Dubbed “Arenaepeton supinatus,” the amphibian species offers a window into the past with its remarkably preserved body, revealing fascinating details such as tusk-like fangs embedded in its head and sharp teeth encircling its jaws.
Notably, the soft tissue preservation provides an exceedingly rare glimpse into its appearance.
Neos Kosmos, contacted the Australian Museum and according to Mr Hart, who is conducting his PhD under Dr Matthew McCurry at the Australian Museum, this unique fossil belongs to a group of extinct animals known as temnospondyls.
“This fossil is a unique example of a group of extinct animals known as temnospondyls, which lived before and during the time of the dinosaurs,” said Mr Hart.
“We don’t often find skeletons with the head and body still attached, and the soft tissue preservation is an even rarer occurrence.”
While its resemblance to the modern Chinese Giant Salamander is striking, the fossil suggests a more robust build.
Its heavyset physique, notable teeth, and fang-like tusks on the roof of its mouth set it apart. This discovery is intriguing due to Arenaepeton’s large size compared to its contemporaries.
Arenaerpeton inhabited freshwater rivers in what is now known as the Sydney Basin during the Triassic period, 240 million years ago. Mr Hart says it most likely hunted other ancient fish such as Cleithrolepis, but apart from that, there is not much evidence that tells us about the other animals which shared the land and waters with Arenaepeton.
“Superficially, Arenaerpeton looks a lot like the modern Chinese Giant Salamander, especially in the shape of its head,” Mr Hart says.
“However, from the size of the ribs and the soft tissue outline preserved on the fossil we can see that it was considerably more heavyset than its living descendants. It also had some pretty gnarly teeth, including a pair of fang-like tusks on the roof of its mouth.”
Mr Hart says what is exciting about the discovery is that Arenaerpeton is large – estimated to be about 1.2m from head to tail – when most other closely related animals that lived at the same time were small.
“The last of the temnospondyls were in Australia 120 million years after Arenaerpeton, and some grew to massive sizes. The fossil record of temnospondyls spans across two mass extinction events, so perhaps this evolution of increased size aided in their longevity.”
Dr Matthew McCurry, Curator of Palaeontology at the Australian Museum, highlighted the importance of this fossil to Australia’s paleontological history.
“This is one of the most important fossils found in New South Wales in the past 30 years, so it is exciting to formally describe it,” says Dr McCurry, who is also a co-author on the study. “It represents a key part of Australia’s fossil heritage,” he noted.
The research has been published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, and the fossil will be exhibited at the Australian Museum later this year.
Researchers believe that despite its relation to salamanders and frogs, Arenaepeton possessed a lifestyle akin to crocodiles, actively hunting aquatic prey in water. The lineage of temnospondyls, to which it belongs, demonstrated remarkable resilience, surviving mass extinction events by possibly adopting strategies like aestivation.
The fossil’s journey is not over.
Donated by Mihailidis to the Australian Museum, it will continue to captivate and educate museum visitors.
Despite attempts, Hart has been unable to establish contact with Mihailidis’ family to share the latest developments surrounding the discovery.
Neos Kosmos has also put out a call. If you have any information please contact editor@neoskosmos.com.au
