Reptile history rewritten with discovery of footprints 40 million years older

Time of India

22-05-2025

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A groundbreaking fossil discovery in northern Victoria, Australia, is shaking up paleontology. Fossilized footprints from the Carboniferous Period, around 359 million years ago, suggest that reptiles may have roamed Earth much earlier than previously believed.
This find significantly predates the oldest known reptile fossils, pushing the reptile evolutionary timeline back by millions of years. Professor John Long of Flinders University notes that these trace fossils challenge established theories about the origins of reptiles. The discovery not only provides new insights into reptile development but also prompts a major reevaluation of evolutionary history, particularly regarding early life forms.
Some interesting facts about reptiles
Footprints of reptile forebears
Experts suggest that the tracks indicate these creatures may have emerged around 350 million years ago, pushing their existence back by 40 million years compared to earlier records. One set of partial prints displayed clear claw marks, suggesting these animals were true reptiles rather than amphibians. Another set featured a smaller front foot and a larger hind foot, a characteristic commonly seen in land-dwelling vertebrates.
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Gondwana
's role in reptile evolution
For years, scientists have examined the southern supercontinent Gondwana, where early four-limbed vertebrates left behind their remains and tracks. The recent find in Victoria supports the idea that key evolutionary milestones took place in these areas. At that time, Australia was a central part of this landmass, and its warmer climate may have contributed to the emergence of new adaptations in reptile ancestors.
Rethinking the reptile evolution timeline
Paleontologists study says that fossil footprints to gain insight into the movement of ancient animals, with features like clawed toes helping to distinguish whether a creature was a reptile or an amphibian. "This pushes back the origin of crown-group amniotes by at least 35-40 million years," said Professor John Long. The research emphasizes how crucial footprints are in reshaping our understanding of evolutionary timelines.
Reptiles belong to the amniote group, which also includes birds and mammals. The claw marks found in these fossilized tracks point to a full transition from aquatic environments, a defining feature of reptiles. While many scientists once believed that amniotes originated in the Northern Hemisphere, these footprints challenge that idea and raise new questions about the spread of early reptiles across ancient landscapes.
Transforming landscapes and the diversity of animals
Researchers are planning to survey other regions of Victoria for additional trace fossils that could help fill in the gaps of this ancient record. They are hopeful that new discoveries will clarify how these early creatures adapted to life on land. The discovery of more trackways could offer new insights into how reptiles diverged from amphibians. Each new footprint holds the potential to reveal crucial details about posture, movement, and survival strategies.
The Carboniferous Period, which lasted from around 359 to 299 million years ago, was a time of dense swamp forests, giant insects, and elevated oxygen levels in the atmosphere. At that time, the configuration of landmasses was different from today's. Some scientists believe that shifting coastlines may have created distinct ecological niches, driving the evolution of new adaptations in response to changing environments.
Environments and habitats of reptile predecessors
Some reptile ancestors likely ventured onto solid ground, while others remained in aquatic environments. With limited evidence of this transition, every fossil footprint holds significant value. Even one single impression can reveal how early amniotes balanced their bodies or positioned their tails. The size, depth, and spacing of the prints provide important clues about their speed and range of motion. A single fossil slab discovered in Victoria has reignited the debate over reptile origins.
Researchers propose revisiting older formations to check if more reptile evidence has been overlooked in the past. Professor Long and his team highlight the need for additional fieldwork to confirm whether reptiles emerged simultaneously in multiple regions. They argue that this discovery shows how a single trackway can challenge and refine our understanding of early amniotes.
Investigating further reptile trace fossils
Future digs could uncover more footprints from the early phases of reptile evolution, shedding light on how quickly these creatures adapted to life on land.
Advances in technology, like high-resolution scanning, allow for more precise analysis of the details in each print, helping paleontologists reconstruct entire ecosystems from a few fossilized traces. Laser scanning is commonly used in footprint analysis to capture 3D images, revealing intricate features such as fine ridges that suggest muscle strength or toe flexibility.
Rare skin patterns found in the footprints can also provide insights into the texture of scales.
Each layer of mud or sand offers valuable clues about the environmental conditions that existed at the time.
Reptiles' first steps onto land
Before the evolution of amniotes, vertebrates like fish and amphibians depended on water for reproduction. Over time, the development of eggs with protective membranes allowed animals like reptiles to move onto land. This transition laid the groundwork for the diversification of reptiles, birds, and mammals into numerous forms.
These footprints represent an important link in that long evolutionary process.
Researchers are comparing the new prints with known trackways from synapsids and early amphibians. Key differences include the curvature of the toes and the presence of claws. Synapsids, which eventually gave rise to mammals, left broader footprints with distinct digit spacing, while reptile-like tracks typically feature sharper claw impressions.
Ancient Tracks of Reptile Ancestors
These ancient footprints link today's wildlife to distant ancestors that once roamed muddy shores. Each mark sparks curiosity about how life first adapted to land. Studying these steps can also reveal key insights into the broader course of evolution. The early success of reptiles, after all, laid the groundwork for the eventual rise of dinosaurs and other land-dwelling creatures.
Scientists stress that no single find tells the full story. Tracks, fossils, and environmental clues must all come together to create a clearer picture of the past. Though the record is still incomplete, new discoveries in unexpected places continue to fill in the gaps. Every fresh footprint offers a rare window into a time of rapid evolutionary transformation.
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