Researchers have unearthed a giant basal tetrapod fossil in Namibia, revealing new aspects of early land animal evolution and highlighting the importance of southern continents in the study of these ancient species.
An international team of paleontologists has discovered a fossilized giant basal tetrapod in Namibia. Basal tetrapods, early four-legged vertebrates with fingers and toes, lived around 280 million years ago during the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life. These ancient carnivores are among the earliest ancestors of all modern animals. The nearly complete 3-meter-long skeleton, discovered in the Ugab River valley in Damaraland, belongs to a new species named Gaiasia jennyae.
This groundbreaking finding challenges the previous assumption that early tetrapods were only found in the northern hemisphere and offers new insights into the evolution of land-dwelling animals.
Unearthing a New Species
In their study, recently published in Nature, the team searched for evidence of the earliest four-legged animals to set foot on land in the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. Gondwana, which existed from about 550 to 180 million years ago, included what are now South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and India.
While conducting fieldwork in Namibia, the researchers spotted something exciting. “The nearly complete skeleton was preserved in mudstone from an ancient freshwater lake. As the soft tissue decomposed, gases formed that caused calcium carbonate to crystallise around the bones, creating a hard crust that protected them from being crushed as they were buried deeper,” explains Prof. Roger Smith, Distinguished Professor at the Evolutionary Studies Institute at Wits and Emeritus Research Associate at Iziko Museums, Cape Town.
Sibusiso Mtungata, a highly skilled fossil technician from the Iziko Museum, describes the discovery moment: “We had found isolated vertebrae of something big, so we were looking for a more complete skeleton. I came across two round cylinders of rock with bone in the middle which fitted together – and then a third. I called Roger over to help me find more, and as we walked upslope, he spotted a large flat rock which he recognised as the head. When we looked along the edge and saw rows of teeth, we knew we had finally found what we had been searching for – a nearly complete skull and skeleton!”
The Significance of Gaiasia
Prof. Claudia Marsicano from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, elaborates on the significance of the find. “As soon as I saw this enormous animal, I knew it was a different species. There is no record of giant basal tetrapods during the Carboniferous-Permian transition (approximately 299 million years ago) anywhere in the world, and certainly none from the southern continents that made up Gondwana. What caught my attention next was the structure of the front part of the skull, which was sticking out of the ground. It showed unusually interlocking large fangs.” It was an ambush predator that ate the fish that lived in the same lake.
Collecting the fossil took some time. “The skeleton had already weathered out of the rock, so there was no need for excavation, but the whole team spent hours searching for fragments that had fallen off the skull block and moved downslope,” says Mtungata. The skeleton was then taken to the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town to be painstakingly prepared in the Karoo Fossil Laboratory, a process that took two years. “Mechanical preparation was a challenge because it was too large to CT scan, so I didn’t know what to expect – especially in the palate where teeth of all different sizes were everywhere. And there was up to 10cm of rock around the vertebrae that needed to be drilled away, creating so much red dust that we had to bring in a special extractor,” Mtungata explains.
Analysis and Exhibition
The fossil preparation revealed that the large, flattened skull was decorated with unusual patterns and had a unique palate structure. It had enormous, backward-curved fangs in both the upper and lower jaws, making its mouth unlike anything seen before. Initially thought to be a large amphibian, further study showed that the skull had features of much older, less evolved four-legged animals, previously found only in older rocks in the northern hemisphere.
“We named the new species Gaiasia jennyae. ‘Gaiasia’ is after Gaias, a nearby desert spring where the fossil was found. ‘Jennyae’ honours Professor Jennifer Clack, a world-renowned expert in early tetrapod evolution, who passed away in 2020,” explains Smith.
The new findings strongly suggest that early tetrapods were well-established in the cold-temperate regions of Gondwana as early as the Carboniferous-Permian transition. “This discovery challenges previous beliefs about early tetrapod distribution and evolution, which were mostly based on fossils from the northern hemisphere,” says Marsicano. “Our research shows a well-established early Permian fauna, with Gaiasia as an apex predator, in rocks from high-latitude Gondwana, now located in central Namibia. This challenges previous ideas and proves that the early history of tetrapods in Pangea during the Palaeozoic was much more complex than we thought.”
The specimen has been returned to Windhoek, where it will soon be on display in the Geological Museum of Namibia.
Reference: “Giant stem tetrapod was apex predator in Gondwanan late Palaeozoic ice age” by Claudia A. Marsicano, Jason D. Pardo, Roger M. H. Smith, Adriana C. Mancuso, Leandro C. Gaetano and Helke Mocke, 3 July 2024, Nature.
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07572-0
Funding: This research was funded by PAST Africa and the National Geographic Society.
50 Comments
Evolution is an unproven theory.
Long ages needed to support an unproven theory…Good science should not accept unproven or unreplicable data.
Whats “unproven” are the assumptions underlying your “thinking,” unless you’re just trolling. Competent introspection might uncover a habitual and deeply ingrained propensity to bulls***.
I agree. The explanation for the Cambrian explosion is thin. These animals suddenly appeared. And did not evolve from any previous animals because none existed in their family.
Correct. Sudden explosion of animals does not prove the evolutionary stages animals went through.
Dude you need to get a tissue and wipe the side of your mouth, you appear to be dribbling 5hit again
No scientific theories are “proven”. They become established when there is overwhelming evidence that supports them, as is the case with evolution. Creationism, on the other hand, has no supporting evidence.
Creationism, if it is that Everything is created by someone, Then you must know that is Proved and has Evidences in the Holy Quran, but only if anybody wants to get them. You can Research on your own Read the Holy Quran with its most of the authentic Meanings by Consulting with some Authentic Scholar, and most of the important Thing that, by thinking only about t knw something new ans True not to deny it, you will surely get your Allllll Answers. And Yes It’s True but gets to those only who want the Truth not a competition or Fame.
The Quran is not holy. It was written by an unholy prophet, and through the writings one of his wives was very very young. I don’t value the writing of Mohammed I am sorry. Not does it give any account of creation but used the Bible as it’s foundation but denies Christ who is the chief cornerstone of the foundation.
Evolution. FACT . IF YOU CAN SEE IT, HEAR IT , SEE IT FEEL IT , SMELL IT . IT EXISTS .. IF YOU CAN NOT DO ANY OF THOSE THING. IT DOES NOT EXIST .
And the earth is flat
Heavenlyview.com
My apologies, heavens above . Look how round the earth is and where the space telescope is. Also people have navigated by the stars for many years and they turn and curve according to the earths orbit, based on a curvature of a round earth 🫠
Panspermia, people! 👾
Frankly, the fact that humans are the product of hundreds of millions of years of evolution, make us absolutely amazing creatures.
Each and every human stands at the head of a genetic line that stretches back, unbroken for almost a billion years.
The evidence is indisputable. Millions of people believe evolution is guided by the hand of the Divine.
Conservatives make the mistake of thinking evolution disproves the existence of a Divine Creator.
This is why Conservative churches are losing members, because they attempt to force people to choose between evidence based science and Creation mythology.
The Hindutva in India are trying to stop schools from teaching evolution, they want to protect Hindu Creation Mythology.
You and I would both probably agree that the Hindu Creation Myth is incorrect. It was written thousands of years ago.
The Biblical Creation myth was written 3000 years ago, could people who lived in that time understand the complexity of evolution? Not likely.
The Creation myths of all ancient civilizations will be replaced with evolution and religion will have to evolve as well.
Conservatives who refuse to change and adapt will become part of extinct bloodlines because they cannot cope with a changing world.
You need to read the lie by Ken Ham, visit the creation museum and do some research on their website. They have some seriously good stuff on there. If you are truly interested in the truth, I strongly advise it.
Get a grip.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Evolution is NOT an “unproved” theory. Creationism, in the other hand, is an unprovable fantasy.
Actually it is unproven. It is widely accepted, taught, and acknowledged, but we have no idea how, when, why, etc. We dont even fully understand genetics. There is a lot we do not know, thus why so many continue to work at it and why there are still so many surprises.
Btw, no one said a darn thing about creationism except yourself.
Limiting your mind to either “this” or “that” as if your brain can possibly imagine all of the possibilities is the worst mistake you can make when it comes to science and our existence.
Good answer, but the argument is good. Not a strong point, but it’s true that either the world was created or it wasn’t. The only theory men seemingly can come up with on their own is evolution which is built on a foundation of lies. Therefore creation was a thing 🙂
Very grateful for discovery of this site thanks
In the early 19th century, a woman named Madeline O’Hara precipitated the whole concept of evolution with her emphasis on taking prayer out of school and inserting darwinian notions that we were a product of natural selection. This idea of all living species have to die in order to make the perfect specimen is a hoax because that would be very beneficial to a few and detriment to the majority right? So why would we ever come to fruition had the majority of us had to perish before the perfect individual could be realized? You’re following a notion that at Hitler took hold of and it’s bologna. And when they took prayer out of school, they also took God out of the equation which is a serious flaw in the way people think now. So you might want to rethink how you came about whether it be an ape or a washed-up plankton? Because that’s how the Big bang theory would tell you we came about? They throw so many different curves into the equation that you’re not really sure what to accept? Except none of it because it’s all a hoax!
Madeleine Murray O’Hare fought school prayer in the 1950s and 1960s. An avowed atheist, she met her maker in violence on a remote Texas ranch for allegedly stealing monies from an Atheist organization. That was in the 1990s to my recollection.
What is this unintelligible word-salad? Y’all are primed by zealots from day one to believe nonsense. The entire point being that if you can make them believe absurdities, you can make them commit atrocities. But then you accuse others of somehow following Hitler? Laughable, just like creationism.
John, my fuzzy headed, flower brained friend, you cannot say that “from day one” we were brought up to believe nonsense. Nor can you say that all religion was used to commit atrocities in the world. Although I cannot say that it hasn’t been used that way. That is the same with everything though. Technology has been used for good and evil, tv has been used for good and evil, media has been used for good and evil, and medicine has been used for good and evil: all of which are good things. However many people have converted to Christianity from alcoholism, substance abuse, prostitution, prison cells, and many of the worlds best scientists, astronauts, doctors etc. are devout Christians. So let’s establish first that God is no respecter of persons, and nor does he value human intelligence and wisdom half as highly as we do. In fact God declares that his own foolishness is wiser than man’s wisdom, which reveals his wisdom but also his personality, and the fact he has a sense of humor. Notice I used the word devoted Christians. There is few so I apologize if you have not met many on your travels in this weary world, but they do exist. You will know them by their devotion to Christ and His word, and not to some movement, formula, or selfish ambition. Pure religion is to help the fatherless and widows. That is not it in its entirety but it hold a passion, and compassion, particularly for those who are found on difficult positions, but again, not a respecter of persons. Now I would suggest having been born into a Christian home but walking away from their teaching for a season, that you consider the fact that you also may have been lied to. After all science is all theories until it has overwhelming evidence, and enough so that it would point to a truth. The problem with this if the beginning pieces of those evidence are incorrect you continue down the wrong path, just as in criminal investigation, law work, anything where you try to uncover the truth. Navigation for example, if you’re off just a few inches and travel long enough distance you will be off by a long shot by the time you reach your destination. So I will throw just a couple of examples out there and there are many, many
more. Mt st helens erupted fairly recently, the eruption and corrosion of the surrounding area mimicked that of the grand canyon, almost to an exact level, same shapes in the rock, same carving away etc. but on a much lesser level. Grand canyon was thus not formed in billions of years but the surrounding area may have been created by fast erosion. I don’t know maybe from a flood? The planets that exist, two mercury, and Venus, if memory serves me right, and also the moon have layer representing a new ( within 6000 years) planet. It has not suffered billions of years of corrosion. I also find it hard to believe that these dust particles kept forming bigger and bigger until they became planets. The gravitational pull of the moon and the earth over time has decreased by 40% if memory serves me well, in just 1400 years. If it was billions of years then we would be crushed by the moon and gravitational force. I can’t remember which planet but it is thought to have a very large and solid iron core, again impossible to be created by a big bang. Also the earth as a planet with as much water as it has could not have received the water from comets that crashed into the earth and the water in these comet caused the water on earth as evolution teaches. There are many faults in evolution but man so strongly wants to suppress the truth of the word of God that they will actively go out of there way to believe something most often they know very little about. ,an has blindly followed evolution and when they stand before Christ on judgement day just as with any other sin they will give an account. Psalm 19:1-2 The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech and night unto night sheweth knowledge. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God: being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Search out the truth while it may be found my friend. Whatever you do don’t insult Christianity with religion, don’t insult the beliefs of others when they are actually not dumb but you have failed to do your research. You have been warned and you will stand before Christ and give an account of your words, and your actions. I plead with you for your soul and the renewing of your mind in Christ Jesus my friend. Thank you for taking the time to read this if you have, I was once confused but yet imagined I had it all figured out. Praise God for truth, it will make you free.
Eggs first, then gills and tail. That’s the development of any human, from egg to fetus. Nature even show off but some men are so spitefully dumb they want to twist this simple fact to feed their small power syndrome. But just for fun, what your god has shown you so far? A snake persuading a woman to eat a forbidden fruit? So basically you’re insisting to exchange a fact with nonsense? Lol, sure, that’s what makes sense, go for it
And your mind is focused on the snake just as eves mind was. Wow what’s this a snake, as he made her to doubt the truth of God’s word. It is not us that is on a power trip, but our God who holds the power, and rightfully so as he created us and our tiny little pea brains. Evolution just believes that poof and it was there, but after the poof it just took billions of years for this “magic” to take effect. Yet many scientific finding have shown time and time again that the earth and the planets are fairly young. Say around 6000 years. Many finding have shown evidence of a worldwide flood. Hmmmmm interesting. But you choose to suppress the truth to believe in the poof the magic bang bang, All I see on here is insults towards Christians but none actually knows of any evidence to back up the poof theory. Refusing to admit there is an authority bigger than us, and taking prayer to that “higher power” who I call God, and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, out of schools. Now that is a problem and the last 100 years has proved it and is proving, and will continue to prove it. Evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse. Thank God for his only begotten Son who died on the cross of Calvary that I might find repentance, a turning from my sins to God. The free gift of everlasting life is incredible, it has renewed my mind. The truth will make you free.
You are so brave to speak out! God bless you!
So the sperm came from some kinda mutated gorilla? And who was the birthing mother???? People get arrested for that kind of thing. I’ll stick with creationism thanks 😳
Take it up with Dawkins, he says the earth was seeded by aliens… and evolution has been disproven by the scientific community for decades.
You are so funny blind with your hahaha….yes, evokution is just theory as a name implies.. very unlikely theory
Oh my gosh you need to get a brain and actually learn the definition of a scientific theory, theory in this context doesn’t mean guess/maybe/I think this is how it works
Do you understand any form of science or do you just get your knowledge from social networks
Common sense tells us there is no God and therefore Adam and eve story is fiction. Anybody who believes there is a god and he Created this universe and everything within it is a big fool.
When you don’t meet your maker, I will be meeting mine. He is God and you will return to earth as a fly or a dog and I will have ever after life. I didn’t believe but then I passed away and I was brought back and I saw things and people and God my maker. He returned me to my body and I can tell you with all my heart he is our maker, he is real and he is our creator.
He is no fool who gives that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. Jim Elliot.
He that hideth hatred with lying lips and he that uttereth slander is a fool. Proverbs 10:18
Evolution is mathematically improbable even given the beliefs of natural selection. On top of that, it cannot explain irreducible complexity. (Chicken/egg) problem.
Egg first, it is called evolution, genetic variation.
AGREE
The word fool originates as an unbelief in the living God who created everything. Those who are saved and are believers know this and have God working in their lives. You need Him also.
Did you come first or your mom?
How did the egg hatch? Through symbiotic, genetic osmosis?
Ever had an antibiotic resistant infection? Evolution. There you go, proven.
Chicken egg problem? You think chickens were dropped whole on the scene, right? Since you don’t understand evolution, let alone believe it, I can understand why you might think there is a chicken/egg problem.
Here’s a hint, it didn’t happen that way. Start there and you’ll be able to work the whole thing out yourself. Until you at least have the courage to think through an idea that you don’t agree with, you are lost. Oh, btw, God (capital G) gave you a mind, a decent, free education, and the ability to reason. Do you think that misusing that gift pleases Him? The first chapter of “The Books” is a story about the fall of the relationship between mankind and God ( again, capital G). It is a story of Supreme (capital S) loss and the beginning of the greatest rescue mission ever attempted. The rest of the facts of the first story fall into place, if you treat it as the parable that it is. Did the Divine Rescuer (capitalized) tech the people in straight language or descriptions? No, He (capitalized) taught in parables (seeing but not believing, hearing but never understanding). Are you a Pharisee, Saducee, teacher of The Law? Stop talking about things you are afraid to even contemplate, let alone seriously study.
Nailed it. Thank you
You guys amaze me. Arguing with other people who you don’t know. Who cares what someone else thinks? Or they don’t agree with you…seek validation that much?
Read the book, The Lie by Ken Ham. Then we can talk.
But Egg wasn’t the first of All, The first thing was the animal/Organism itself with a pair, whether of any Specie or type.
And it will be Proven in Future.
And one more thing, Yes! The scientists have to came up with many of the ideas/Guesses only without any Prove and when they Finally Proved that at some time, they always gets shocked that is already Proven or stated in one way or more in the Holy Quran. And now Many of them are working by gaining the ideas and Right Path from it (but it is found to those who wants to get in Reality with Open Minded not thinking in just one way) I hope Everyone will Understand and that’s the only message I want to deliver.
If you are arguing for evolution, your chances of convincing a creationist are about as good as trying to convince a MAGA nut that Trump doesn’t incessantly lie. Just ignore them. They are content with their imaginations and have no desire to seek the truth.
Unfortunately, you are right. It is the “madness of this age”. When each child is given the greatest chance of education and knowledge, but instead this gift is misused and perverted into ignorance and mysticism. As a ✝️ believer, Physicist, and reader of “The Books”, I am amazed by the level of m***al ill***s that comes across in the “debate” around evolution. I don’t usually participate in*any* online discussions, but this one just rubbed me wrong. Am I “spitting into the wind” by engaging the unbelievers? Yes, and I’ll get back what always happens when you do something foolish. It just torques me in a deep way when I see someone actually try and argue against reality. But, when someone makes their incorrect, physical argument using God, that really twists my sensibilities.
Why would we seek truth when we find it. You’ve spent 6000 years seeking truth and where has it got any of you or your ancestors. Read the Bible it covers the 6000 years the earth has been around from start to finish. If you’re really seeking truth it is the truth of God’s word that will make you free. Let God be true and every man a liar. Please don’t tell us that we are closed off and don’t seek truth just because we have it in our laps. I bet you’ve never even read the Bible with a genuine aim and goal to understand it. It’s not even that big a book in comparison to some of the trash people read. So please refrain from the argument that we don’t seek the truth when you yourself do not seek the truth in our field of study. There is a word for that, people always use it to insult Christians. Judge not lest ye be judged,,,,,, hmmmm hypocrisy???? And yes, I admit many Christians, if not all are hypocrites. However we do not profess to be perfect, but we profess to know the one who is, Jesus Christ, and no we don’t judge, but God’s word surely does, and he has the right too. Thank you for listening to my opinion, I hope you will sit down and read God’s word for it’s truly only His opinion that matters.
This is a really weird comment thread