Paleontologists Discover the First Known Amphibian That Lived Entirely at Sea: a Flat, Armored Creature From 237 Million Years Ago

Paleontologists have identified a new species of armored amphibian, Gerrothorax maritimus, which lived approximately 237 million years ago. Discovered in southwestern China and detailed in Nature Ecology & Evolution, the creature is the first known amphibian to have lived exclusively in a marine environment. This discovery challenges long-held scientific assumptions about amphibian physiology and their historical ability to adapt to saltwater habitats, marking a significant shift in our understanding of prehistoric life.