Australia footprints show amniotes evolved much earlier

Fossilized claw prints discovered in Australia have pushed back the estimated emergence of amniotes, ancestors of reptiles, birds, and mammals, by 40 million years. This finding significantly alters the understanding of early amniote evolution. The footprints, dating back 354 to 358 million years, were found in Victoria and suggest amniotes existed much earlier than previously believed. The trackways, likely made by reptiles, are older than any previously discovered amniote fossils, potentially shifting the origin location to the ancient continent of Gondwana. The discovery, made by local fossil hunters, highlights the importance of Australia's fossil record and collaboration between scientists and the public. Researchers hope to find body fossils to further confirm the presence of these early amniotes and continue unraveling the mysteries of life's evolution.