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Palaeobatrachidae, an extinct family of frogs, first emerged in the Middle Eocene, nearly 50 million years ago, with some evidence suggesting their existence predates the Cretaceous mass extinction. Their last known survivors lived during the Middle Pleistocene, less than 0.5 million years ago, coexisting with Neanderthals. Fossils have been found near Pleistocene continental glaciers, indicating they were obligate water dwellers like modern pipid frogs (e.g., Xenopus) and could not venture far onto land, ultimately perishing in their frozen habitats. This aquatic lifestyle led to a uniform appearance, complicating taxonomic classification. However, they share notable traits with southern hemisphere pipids, hinting at a relationship between Palaeobatrachus and Xenopus. The reasons behind Palaeobatrachus's migration to western northern Eurasia, while avoiding eastern regions and North America, remain enigmatic. Studying Palaeobatrachus offers insights into comparative anatomy, paleogeography, and various aspects of paleontology. Notably, it was the first fossil frog scientifically described in 1831. Many excavation sites have since been lost, limiting the available data for future research, which underscores the importance of this richly illustrated review.
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Fossil frogs of the genus Palaeobatrachus (Amphibia: Anura), Zbyněk Roček
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- 2021
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