Scientists have found the oldest evidence of a “slingshot-t” tongue, with the remains of amphibians 99 mm old.
Prehistoric armed creatures, known as albanarpetontids, were sitting and waiting hunters who snatched prey by firing their “ballistic tongues” projectiles.
Although they had lizard-like claws, scales, and tails, analysis suggests that the albenerpentiontidus were amphibians, not reptiles.
They believe the findings, published in the journal Science, redefine how small animals are fed. Albanarpetontids were formerly considered underground broilers.
Edward Stanley, co-author of the study and director of the Florida Museum of Digital Discovery and Experimental Laboratory at Natural History, said: Knowing that they have this ballistic tongue gives us a whole new understanding of this whole lineage. “
Modern-day amphibians are represented by three distinct lineages: frogs, mandibles, scorpions, and limbless casilians. Researchers say that until 4 million years ago there was a fourth line, the Albanarpetontids, whose lineage is at least 165 years old.
However, Susan Evans, another co-author of the study and professor of vertebrate morphology and paleontology at University College London, said the lineage may have been more ancient, probably originated 250 years ago.
She said: “If even the earliest albenerpatentists had a ballistic mother tongue, this trait would have lasted longer than the early chameleons, probably 120 years ago.”
The fossils of small creatures were unearthed in Myanmar, trapped in amber, and the specimens found in “mint condition” gave researchers the opportunity to investigate in detail.
The fossils represent a new species of albenarpetontids, named Yaksha Parity, Which is about 5 cm without a tail.
Evans said: “We are scattered in the leaf litter, well hidden, but sometimes come out for a fly and catch it by throwing its tongue out.”
Another fossil, a young adolescent formerly known as a chameleon due to its “opacity characteristics”, also had characteristics similar to those of an albanarpetontid – such as claws, scales, large eye sockets, and an obscure tongue.
Evans said the discovery of a projectile tongue by albanarpetontists helps explain some of their “strange and wonderful” characteristics, such as their unusual jaw and neck joints and large, forward-looking eyes, the common characteristics of predators.
The animals may have taken a full breath out of their skin, as some sandmonds did, she added.
Despite the findings, the researchers said it remained a mystery how albanarpetontids were fitted to the amphibian family tree.
Evans said: “In theory, albenerpetontids could give us a clue as to what the ancestors of modern amphibians looked like. Sadly, they are so special and so weird that they can’t help us so much. “
