The discovery of a fossil has set in motion the reevaluation of what we know about how the continents separated.
Student Rachel
The discovery of a fossil, a toad far larger and fiercer than any known amphibian on the planet, has set in motion the reevaluation of what we know about how the continents separated. What is so baffling about this discovery, is that this species of toad seems to be a relative of South American horned frogs. Yet this particular fossil was found in Madagascar. According to the article, “Standard theory for how the continents drifted apart show what is now Madagascar would have been long separated by ocean from South America.” We know that frogs aren’t typically can’t survive long in salt water. So this giant frog fossil has provided evidence for competing theories about how the continents were still connected.
I think that more research is needed in order to support or refute the idea that there could have been more than one “bridge” between continents. Perhaps if more fossils were found and dated in other areas the corresponded with this idea that there could have been a connection that allowed the same family species from Africa to be present in South America. So maybe, there just needs to be a bit more focus on Madagascar since the common belief was that it had already been separated when the land masses formed. From that research and focus, perhaps through the lineages of other amphibians, there can be a better picture painted of what the prehistoric earth looked like.
Answer preview The discovery of a fossil has set in motion the reevaluation of what we know about how the continents separated.
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