"Kermit the Frog-Inspired Fossil Unlocks Amphibian Evolution Puzzle"
A newly described species of proto-amphibian, named Kermitops gratus after Kermit the Frog, has been discovered by paleontologists at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The fossilized skull, resembling a "stout salamander" with a "cartoonishly wide-eyed face," was found in the museum's archives and is thought to be a distant relative of modern amphibians. This finding could provide insights into the evolution of amphibians and their common ancestors, shedding light on how frogs and salamanders developed specialized traits.