Ancient Amphibians Thrived After Earth's Deadliest Extinction

Temnospondyls survived the end-Permian mass extinction by adapting to freshwater ecosystems and diverse diets, but their success was temporary.

The end-Permian mass extinction, 252 million years ago, wiped out up to 90% of Earth's species, creating a 'tropical dead zone' of uninhabitable conditions.
Temnospondyls, ancient relatives of frogs and salamanders, survived by feeding on freshwater prey and maintaining a generalist diet, avoiding competition with terrestrial predators.
Research on 100 temnospondyl fossils revealed their body sizes and ecological roles remained largely unchanged during the crisis, with some species thriving in diverse aquatic niches.
Despite their adaptability and ability to cross the tropical dead zone during cooler periods, temnospondyls began to decline as dinosaurs and mammals diversified in the Middle Triassic.
The findings highlight the resilience of temnospondyls and provide insights into how amphibians may respond to modern environmental challenges like climate change.