Fossilized tracks of an amphibian, dating back to the Middle Jurassic period (174.7 – 161.5 million years ago), have been unearthed near Beijing. According to the Xinhua agency, this marks the inaugural discovery of its kind in Asia.
The preserved footprints of a Jurassic amphibian, specifically from the Middle Jurassic epoch, have been located in Asia for the first time, as reported by TASS. This incredible find occurred on a mountainside in the Mentougou district, within the boundaries of Beijing. The tracks consist of two foot impressions visible on a single slab; one measures 1.5 cm in length and 1.3 cm in width.
Analysis suggests that these imprints were most likely made by a single creature while it was moving. Based on the assessment, the tracks potentially belong to an organism from the salamander suborder. The estimated age of this fossil evidence is approximately 160 million years.
Xing Lida, an expert from the China University of Geosciences in Beijing, stated that this represents “the first documented instance of amphibian trace fossils being discovered and scientifically detailed within Jurassic strata in China and across the entirety of Asia.” Specialists believe this discovery will be instrumental in filling gaps in our understanding of ancient amphibians, offering fresh insights into the paleogeography and biodiversity of northern China.
A formal report detailing this breakthrough has been made public in the scientific periodical, Ichnos.
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