{"id":44189,"date":"2024-11-28T16:55:04","date_gmt":"2024-11-28T15:55:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/b747bf07-983b-4333-af67-16e9af4e00b1"},"modified":"2024-11-28T18:27:24","modified_gmt":"2024-11-28T17:27:24","slug":"80-prehistoric-tombs-filled-with-bizarre-animal-skulls-found-in-wyoming","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/80-prehistoric-tombs-filled-with-bizarre-animal-skulls-found-in-wyoming\/","title":{"rendered":"80 prehistoric tombs filled with bizarre animal skulls found in Wyoming"},"content":{"rendered":"

The chambers were built as refuges, but the animals that created them ended up getting trapped inside then fossilised for 230 million years, a new study finds. <\/p>

By Daniel Graham\n <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 28 November 2024 at 15:55 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Two hundred and thirty million years ago, the landscape of modern-day Wyoming in USA faced climatic extremes. Torrential rains drenched the region for months during mega-monsoons, transforming the land into a sodden expanse. <\/strong><\/p>

But when the rains ceased, scorching, arid conditions dominated, creating a hostile environment for life forms that relied on moisture to survive.<\/p>

Yet, one group of salamander-like creatures devised a unique survival strategy, leaving behind evidence of their ingenuity in the form of fossilised remains preserved within peculiar, torpedo-shaped burrows.<\/p>

In a recent study published in\u00a0Proceedings of the Royal Society B<\/a><\/em>, scientists described this new amphibian species \u2013 Ninumbeehan dookoodukah<\/em> \u2013 whose fossils tell a fascinating story of life, death and adaptation in prehistoric times.<\/p>

Fossilised skull of the newly described amphibian: Ninumbeehan dookoodukah\/David Lovelace <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

Buried treasures<\/h3>

The trail leading to this discovery began in 2014 when David Lovelace, an ichnology (the study of fossilised tracks, burrows and trails) enthusiast and research scientist at the University of Wisconsin Geology Museum, was out exploring rock layers in Wyoming. It was then that he spotted a series of unusual cylindrical rock structures resembling “Pringle cans” in the ground. These formations, he realised, were fossilised burrows \u2013 traces of an ancient creature\u2019s life.<\/p>

One particularly small burrow caught his eye. \u201cIt was tiny, it was so cute,\u201d Lovelace recalls. Back in his lab, he opened the burrow with a hammer, revealing a skull with sharp, pointy teeth. Initially mistaking it for a baby crocodile<\/a>, further examination revealed the fossil belonged to an amphibian. This moment marked the beginning of a collaboration that would bring these ancient animals to light.<\/p>

\"Cal
Cal So and Adam Fitch using a rock saw to excavate fossil burrows\/Hannah Miller <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

Unlocking secrets with technology<\/h3>

Lovelace reached out to Jason Pardo, a fossil amphibian specialist at the Field Museum. Using high-resolution CT scans, Pardo examined the burrows and uncovered partial skeletons of the amphibians inside. The findings were exhilarating. \u201cAt this point, we were like, \u2018Oh my god, we have something really cool,\u2019\u201d says Lovelace.<\/p>

With more excavations and the help of then-undergraduate Cal So, the team collected around 80 fossil burrows, many containing bones or skulls.<\/p>

The remains suggested that these amphibians were about a foot long with diminutive, underdeveloped limbs. Yet, their most striking feature was their scoop-shaped skulls, likely used for digging.<\/p>

Researchers hypothesise that during the wet season, these amphibians thrived in rivers. When the rivers dried up, they burrowed headfirst into muddy riverbeds, entering a state similar to hibernation<\/a> to survive the drought.<\/p>

\"Ninumbeehan
Illustration depicting the amphibian digging a burrow in a riverbed for the dry season and then re-emerging when the monsoon returned\/Gabriel N. Ugueto <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

A glimpse into prehistoric lives<\/h3>

The burrows offered a snapshot of the amphibians\u2019 lifestyle. Their torpedo-shaped shelters likely provided a moist refuge during the dry season, safeguarding them from dehydration.<\/p>

However, these burrows also became their tombs. As rivers shifted course, some burrows were no longer replenished with water, leaving their occupants stranded and fossilised for millions of years.<\/p>

\"Ninumbeehan
Ninumbeehan dookoodukah burrow locations at the upper Jelm Formation, near Dubois in Wyoming (a), plus micro-computed tomography rendering of a partially articulated skeleton, highlighted skeleton, and burrow cast volume rendering (d)\/Cal So et al. <\/figcaption> <\/figure>
\"Reconstruction
Reconstruction of cranium and lower jaw of Ninumbeehan dookoodukah\/Cal So et al. <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

Honouring heritage<\/h3>

This discovery, nestled in the ancestral lands of the Eastern Shoshone people, spurred a unique partnership. Lovelace and his team collaborated with local schools and Eastern Shoshone elders to study the fossils, sharing knowledge and fostering a connection between the fossils and the region’s cultural heritage.<\/p>

The collaboration culminated in a name for the newly described amphibian:\u00a0Ninumbeehan dookoodukah<\/em>. Translated from the Shoshone language, it means \u201cLittle People\u2019s flesh eater.\u201d<\/p>

The name reflects the amphibian’s sharp teeth and pays homage to the Little People, who hold a revered place in Shoshone culture. \u201cThis process brought together scientists, community members and students, creating an intergenerational connection to the land and its history,\u201d says Amanda LeClair-Diaz, Office of Indian Education Coordinator and a co-author of the study.<\/p>

Ancient lessons for a changing climate<\/h3>

The fossil record of\u00a0Ninumbeehan<\/em>\u00a0offers a window into life during the Triassic and hints at the resilience of amphibians under extreme conditions, says Pardo: \u201cSmall amphibians from this period are rare, making this find particularly exciting. The burrowing behaviour of these creatures may also hold lessons for modern amphibians facing the pressures of climate change.<\/p>

\u201cWith climate change threatening amphibian diversity, the seasonal strategies of\u00a0Ninumbeehan<\/em>\u00a0offer a glimmer of hope,\u201d Pardo adds. Some modern amphibians exhibit similar behaviours, which could help them weather the challenges posed by global warming.<\/p>

The discovery of\u00a0Ninumbeehan dookoodukah<\/em>\u00a0is not just a tale of ancient survival; it\u2019s a story of community, collaboration and respect for the past, the authors conclude.<\/p>

Find out more about the study: Fossil amphibian offers insights into the interplay between monsoons and amphibian evolution in palaeoequatorial Late Triassic systems<\/a><\/em><\/p>

More amazing stories from around the world<\/strong><\/p>