| Vieraella | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Restoration | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | †Vieraellidae |
| Genus: | †Vieraella Reig, 1961 |
| Type species | |
| †Vieraella herbsti Reig, 1961[2] | |
Vieraella is an extinct genus offrogs from the LowerJurassic (EarlyPliensbachian toToarcian)Roca Blanca Formation of Argentina, and one of the oldest true frogs known. This genus is known by a single exceptionally well-preserved specimen, P.V.L. 2188, with at least eight presacrals vertebrae, free ribs, ulna and radius not fused, bony skull with some discoglossid characters.[3]
Despite living around 188 million years ago,Vieraella wasanatomically very similar to modern frogs. For example, its hind legs were adapted for jumping, and the skull already possessed the lattice-like form found in modern species. It was, however, an unusually small frog, measuring only 3 centimetres (1.2 in) in length. Although older frog-like creatures are known, such asTriadobatrachus, these possessed many primitive characteristics, and cannot be said to be "true" frogs.[4]
