Scientists Develop Methods to Estimate Mass of Extinct Temnospondyl Amphibians
Researchers from the Australian Museum, University of New South Wales, and University of New England have published a study applying multiple techniques to estimate the body mass of extinct temnospondyl amphibians. The team tested 19 different estimation methods on two fossil species—Eryops and Paracyclotosaurus—as well as five living animals like crocodiles and salamanders. They identified five accurate methods that could reliably determine weight for these ancient creatures. This research is significant because temnospondyls survived major extinction events over their 210-million-year history, offering insights into how animal body mass changes through climate shifts. Understanding these patterns may help address current extinction risks.
Key facts
- Scientists from three Australian institutions collaborated on the study
- 19 body mass estimation techniques were applied to extinct temnospondyls
- Five methods proved accurate when tested on living animals
- Temnospondyls existed for approximately 210 million years
- The research aims to understand how body mass responds to climate change
Entities
Institutions
- Australian Museum
- University of New South Wales
- University of New England
Locations
- Australia