Prosalirus

Pro-say-le-rus.
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Cassidy Wood

Paleoentomologist

Cassidy Wood uncovers the tiny yet significant world of prehistoric insects. Her research on amber-preserved specimens has revealed intricate details about ancient ecosystems.

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Name

Prosalirus ‭(‬leap forward‭).

Phonetic

Pro-say-le-rus.

Named By

Neil H.‭ ‬Shubin‭ & ‬Farish A.‭ ‬Jenkins‭ ‬-‭ ‬1995.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Amphibia,‭ ‬Anura,‭ ‬Prosaliridae.

Diet

Insectivore.

Species

P.‭ ‬bitus‭

Size

Up to‭ ‬5‭ ‬centimetres long.

Known locations

USA,‭ ‬Arizona‭ ‬-‭ ‬Kayenta Formation.

Time Period

Sinemurian of the Jurassic.

Fossil representation

Remains of three individuals.

In Depth

       Prosalirus is one of the earliest frogs that has been confirmed as being able to jump,‭ ‬a revelation brought about from analysis of the skeleton which shows that it was capable of absorbing forces associated with landing.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬An Early Jurassic jumping frog.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Nature‭ ‬377:49-52.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Neil H.‭ ‬Shubin‭ & ‬Farish A.‭ ‬Jenkins‭ ‬-‭ ‬1995.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT