A 252 million-year-old mass extinction event that wiped out 90% of species, the end-Permian extinction marked a critical turning point for life on Earth. While many species disappeared forever, ancient amphibians, specifically temnospondyls, managed to bounce back and exploit freshwater prey in their wake.
Researchers at the University of Bristol analyzed the survival and recovery strategies of these early amphibians by studying 100 temnospondyl specimens from the Triassic period, a time marked by repeated volcanic activity, global warming, and widespread wildfires. Despite the inhospitable conditions, the team found that the temnospondyls retained their generalist feeding ecology, allowing them to feed on a wide variety of prey.
Their study suggests that the freshwater habitats preferred by these ancient amphibians provided a relatively stable food supply, enabling them to thrive while terrestrial predators struggled with meager resources. The researchers discovered that the temnospondyls were able to cross the “tropical dead zone,” where many species migrated due to extreme heat.
The team’s findings indicate that the temnospondyls’ success was attributed to their low food requirements, adaptability in eating most prey animals, and hiding in sparse water bodies during hot episodes. However, as dinosaurs and mammals began to diversify in the Middle Triassic, the temnospondyls started their long decline.
The study’s lead author, Aamir Mehmood, explained that the temnospondyls’ recovery was unexpected, given the extreme conditions of the time. The research provides new insights into how life adapted to and survived one of Earth’s most devastating mass extinctions.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-03-ancient-amphibians-earth-greatest-mass.html