Pelvic bones of Hungarobatrachus szukacsi

Hungarobatrachus szukacsi

This frog is the oldest known species of true frogs (Neobatrachia) in Europe. It is characterized by a strongly ossified, extremely high iliac crest and the ossification of the hip bones. The extremely high iliac crest combined with a thin ilioischiadic junction suggests that the ancestor of Hungarobatrachus was a terrestrial form that could jump well, while the tight joint between the hip bones is the result of a secondary mode of adaptation to aquatic life. Hungarobatrachus was a frog able to jump and swim excellently, combining the good jumping skills of today’s green frogs (Ranidae) and the good swimming abilities of clawed frogs (Pipidae).

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