Paleontologists in Madagascar have announced the discovery of Pterobatrachus madagascariensis, a previously unknown species of gliding frog dating back to the Cretaceous period. The fossilized remains, found in a fine-grained siltstone deposit, include rare imprints of extended skin membranes between the toes, suggesting the amphibian could glide between the canopy of ancient prehistoric forests. This find pushes back the evolution of aerial locomotion in amphibians by nearly 40 million years.
The discovery was made in the Ambatovy Formation, a site known for its exceptionally preserved Mesozoic life. Analysis of the specimen's skeletal structure reveals highly elongated hind limbs and specialized pelvic girdles adapted for high-impact landings. Researchers believe this species lived alongside early titanosaurs, using its gliding ability to evade ground-based predators and travel efficiently across the lush, fragmented islands of the Gondwanan archipelago.