Fossils of Smallest Known Amphibian Discovered

A new set of fossil footprints that belonged to a small amphibian which would have roamed the Earth 315 million years ago has been traced in Joggins, Nova Scotia near Amherst. These footprints are the world's smallest known fossil vertebrate footprints.

Discovered on the UNESCO world Heritage Site, the Joggins Fossil Cliffs; the fossil of ichnogenus Batrachichnus salamandroides was collected by paleontologist Gloria Melanson, daughter of Don Reid, the famed Keeper of the Joggins Cliffs.

"This was one of the most exciting finds I have ever made and I am very pleased that, along with my colleagues, we are able to share it with the world. Every big fossil find is by chance; it's all about being lucky and recognizing what you're looking at. When I saw the very small tail and toes I knew we had something special. I never thought it would be the world's smallest," said Melanson.

The fossil traced is known for its diverse skeletal record of smallest tetrapods that is being dominated by an array of small, primitive amphibians and the oldest known reptile.

The 48-mm-long trackway preserves approximately 30 footprints with the front feet measuring 1.6 mm long and back feet measuring 2.4 mm long. 

The student from Saint Mary's University and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History has revealed that the footprints belong to the amphibian.

Melanson's fossil is on display at the Joggins Fossil Centre at the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Joggins Fossil Cliffs.

The details of the study by Stimson, Lucas and Melanson are being carried in the international scientific journal Ichnos on Aus. 27.