BH Staff | September 11, 2022
Age and Locality: Later Jurassic, Inner Mongolia.
Jeholotriton paradoxus is an extinct species of salamander that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 120 million years ago. This species is part of the Jehol Biota, a famous collection of fossils from the Yixian Formation and Jiufotang Formation in northeastern China, noted for their exceptional preservation and the insights they provide into prehistoric life.
The name “Jeholotriton paradoxus” reflects its unique and somewhat paradoxical features that distinguish it from other salamanders. The term “Jeholotriton” refers to the Jehol region where its fossils were discovered, and “paradoxus” indicates the unexpected nature of some of its characteristics.
Jeholotriton paradoxus was relatively small, with a slender body and elongated tail, features typical of aquatic or semi-aquatic salamanders. Its limbs were well-developed, suggesting it was capable of moving effectively both in water and on land. However, the precise lifestyle of Jeholotriton paradoxus remains a subject of study, with its anatomical features suggesting a predominantly aquatic existence.