Finding Fremont: Unearthing the Unique Ancestor of Frogs and Toads with a Name as Fresh as Today’s News

A newly discovered ancient amphibian ancestor has been given a name that is both unique and meaningful. The creature, named Kermitops gratus, lived 270 million years ago and had a skull the size of the palm of your hand. The fossilized bone, just over an inch long, has well-preserved oval eye sockets.

The discovery of Kermitops gratus was made by paleontologist Nicholas Hotton III in Texas. However, it wasn’t until 2021 that postdoctoral paleontologist Arjan Mann rediscovered the fossil. This creature is classified as a temnospondyl, a precursor to modern amphibians that existed between the Carboniferous and Triassic periods.

One of the distinctive features of Kermitops gratus was its wide face and eyes, which resembled those of the beloved Muppets character, Kermit the Frog. Despite some damage to the palate and brain case, the fossil displays remarkably preserved features, including tiny palpebral ossicles in the eyelids.

The choice to name this ancient amphibian after Kermit was seen as a way to connect with the general public and bridge the gap between scientific research and public interest in paleontology. Calvin So, a doctoral student at George Washington University and lead author of the study, believes that naming it Kermit helps make science more accessible to people who may not have previously been interested in it.

This unique choice of name highlights the importance of sharing scientific discoveries with a wider audience and making them more relatable to everyday life.