Tiny toad, big discovery: New ice age amphibian found in La Brea Tar Pits collection
- Posted on August 7, 2026
- By Los Angeles Times
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- 1 min read
Paleontologists have made a remarkable breakthrough at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, uncovering a previously unknown toad species from the Pleistocene epoch. This diminutive amphibian, preserved within the museum's extensive collection, provides crucial insights into prehistoric ecosystems and biodiversity during the last ice age. The discovery highlights the scientific value of museum collections in revealing species unknown to modern science, offering researchers opportunities to better understand ancient environmental conditions and evolutionary adaptation in small vertebrates.
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