LOCAL NEWS

Paleontologists find fossil of ancient vomited amphibians

Sep 14, 2022, 5:58 PM

Depiction of a bowfin fish sneaking up on a frog while another bowfin regurgitates part of a recen...

Depiction of a bowfin fish sneaking up on a frog while another bowfin regurgitates part of a recent meal of frogs and a salamander, a possible scenario explaining the new fossil. (Brian Engh)

(Brian Engh)

SALT LAKE CITY — Paleontologists in southeastern Utah discovered ancient remains that appear to be amphibians that were regurgitated by their predator at least 1,500 million years ago.

According to a release from Utah Division of State Parks, the fossil was found in rocks of the Morrison Formation, a Late Jurrassic-age layer famous for the stegosaurus and brachiosaurus, along with frogs and tadpoles, salamanders, fish, and a variety of plants.

This particular site represents a pond deposit with well-preserved flora fossils including ginkgoes, ferns, and conifers, along with amphibians and fish. The once wetter and more lush site also produced the second insect fossil known from the formation, the giant water bug relative Morrisonnepa.

“I was so excited to have found this site, as Upper Jurassic plant localities are so rare,” study co-author Jim Kirkland of the Utah Geological Survey said. “We must now carefully dissect the site in search of more tiny wonders among the foliage.”

The amphibian bones found at this site are some of the smallest in its layer, measuring as small as 0.12 inches in length. Based on chemistry, arrangement, concentration, and array of animal bones, paleontologists say the pile indicate that at least two creatures were present. One a salamander, and one that may have been a tadpole.

The predator is believed to be an aquatic or semi-aquatic mammal. Animals including fish will sometimes vomit their recent meal when threatened.

“We can’t be sure, but among the animals of interest here, the current best match, and the one known to be at the scene, is the bowfin fish,” co-author of the study John Foster said. “This fossil gives us a rare glimpse into the interactions of the animals in ancient ecosystems.”

Though fish and amphibians have been found in the Morrison Formation since the late 1800s, this fossil is the first in Jurassic rocks of North America to document not only a predators meal but the need to suddenly purge that meal.

The study on the “fish-puked tadpole” was recently published in the journal Palaios.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Man being taken on stretcher to an ambulance figures blurred...

Lauren Steinbrecher

West Jordan man trying ‘to be funny’ allegedly shot and killed best friend

Investigators believe a joke between friends turned into the shooting death of a West Jordan man. The fatal mistake is also turning into a message police hope every gun owner can hear.

9 hours ago

Matt Gephardt meeting with Denis Hawkins after a rental car company after they ignored his calls fo...

Matt Gephardt

Get Gephardt helps Spanish Fork man clear up insurance claim for rental car damage

Get Gephardt clears up an international rental car insurance standstill.

9 hours ago

small housing units...

Debbie Worthen

Utah’s micro-shelter pilot program gets extension to help homeless

A micro-shelter pilot program will stay in place for at least six more months.

9 hours ago

A trench used for training a team of firefighters to be a part of Utah County's Special Response Te...

Shelby Lofton

Heavy Rescue school students respond to real-life emergency during trench collapse training

A team of firefighter students training to be on a Special Response Team rescued a man buried in a trench collapse the week they'd been studying trenches.

9 hours ago

The Cache County Council took up the e-mail controversy...

Mike Anderson

A single text stirs political fallout in Cache County election

A text message is blowing up into a whole lot of political fallout in Cache County.

10 hours ago

A map shows where the Chief Toquer reservoir will connect to the Ash Creek Reservoir....

Cary Schwanitz

Feds pour $7 million into southern Utah water pipeline project

A project to build a new pipeline that will run from the Ash Creek Reservoir to the Chief Toquer Reservoir received $7 million from the bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Paleontologists find fossil of ancient vomited amphibians