Frog from the Cretaceous found in India

Scientists have described the bright purple burrowing frog, resembling a fat plum with a white snout, as a "living fossil".

It was found in the Western Ghats hills of Kerala, southern India, a region known to be a "hotspot" of biodiversity.

DNA analysis showed that the amphibian, Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis, belonged not only to a previously unknown species but a whole new family of frogs.

From Ananova, which also has a picture of the colorful critter.

Posted by David on October 15, 2003 2:10 PM