3.5-million-year-old mystery creature found in Japan is a 'giant' never seen before
A 3.5-million-year-old fossil discovered in Japan has revealed a previously unknown species of giant salamander.
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The brief
Researchers have identified a new species of giant salamander from fossils found in Japan. The identification follows the analysis of three bones discovered decades ago, including a vertebra with unique characteristics.
Coverage from SciTechDaily, Sci.News, WION, The Times of India, and CPG Click Oil and Gas emphasizes that this find represents a lost lineage. The specimen is described as a giant unlike any known species and helps fill an evolutionary gap spanning over 20 million years.
Future developments may include the revision of other bones currently preserved in museums based on these new findings.
Synthesized by Newsylist from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 2h ago.
Quick answers
How old is the fossil?
The fossil is 3.5 million years old.
What specific part of the fossil provided the key evidence?
A vertebra with unique characteristics revealed the new species.
What is the evolutionary significance of this discovery?
It reveals a lost lineage and helps fill an evolutionary gap of over 20 million years.
Coverage (5)
- A giant salamander fossil held a surprise in Japan: a vertebra with unique characteristics reveals a new species, helps fill an evolutionary gap of over 20 million years, and may lead to the revision of other bones preserved in museums. CPG Click Oil and Gas · 1d ago
- Three bones found in Japan decades ago have revealed a giant salamander unlike any known species The Times of India · 1d ago
- 3.5-Million-Year-Old Fossil from Japan Reveals Lost Lineage of Giant Salamanders Sci.News · 1d ago
- Mystery Bones Found in Japan Belong to a Giant Salamander Unlike Any Known SciTechDaily · 1d ago
- 3.5-million-year-old mystery creature found in Japan is a 'giant' never seen before WION · 1d ago broke it first
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