Researchers found fossils of a large, salamander-like creature with sharp teeth that lived in water before dinosaurs. This predator, bigger than a human, likely used its broad head and strong teeth to catch prey. The 60-centimeter-long skull and other parts were carefully studied after being found about ten years ago. The detailed study on Gaiasia jennyae was recently published in Nature. This creature lived around 40 million years before dinosaurs, giving us a rare glimpse into ancient ecosystems.

Scientists study creatures like Gaiasia jennyae to learn about tetrapods—four-legged animals that moved from water to land, eventually becoming amphibians, birds, and mammals, including humans. Early tetrapod fossils are mostly from ancient coal swamps in North America and Europe. However, these fossils, around 280 million years old, were found in modern-day Namibia, an area once covered with glaciers. This discovery suggests tetrapods might have thrived in colder climates earlier than previously thought, raising new questions about their evolution. Claudia Marsicano from the University of Buenos Aires, a study co-author, noted that the early history of tetrapods is more complex than previously believed. Gaiasia jennyae is named after paleontologist Jennifer Clack, honoring her work on tetrapod evolution.