WASHINGTON (AP) — Scientists have revealed fossils of a giant salamanderlike beast with sharp fangs that ruled waters before the first dinosaurs arrived.
The predator, which was larger than a person, likely used its wide, flat head and front teeth to suck in and chomp unsuspecting prey, researchers said. Its skull was about 2 feet (60 centimeters) long.
“It’s acting like an aggressive stapler,” said Michael Coates, a biologist at the University of Chicago who was not involved with the work.
Fossil remnants of four creatures collected about a decade ago were analyzed, including a partial skull and backbone. The findings on Gaiasia jennyae were published Wednesday in the journal Nature. The creature existed some 40 million years before dinosaurs evolved.
Researchers have long examined such ancient predators to uncover the origins of tetrapods: four-legged animals that clambered onto land with fingers instead of fins and evolved to amphibians, birds and mammals including humans.
Most early tetrapod fossils hail from hot, prehistoric coal swamps along the equator in what’s now North America and Europe. But these latest remnants, dating back to about 280 million years ago, were found in modern-day Namibia, an area in Africa that was once encrusted with glaciers and ice.
That means tetrapods may have thrived in colder climates earlier than scientists expected, prompting more questions about how and when they took over the Earth.
“The early story of the first tetrapods is much more complex than we thought,” said co-author Claudia Marsicano at the University of Buenos Aires, who was part of the research.
The creature's name comes from the Gai-As rock formation in Namibia where the fossils were found and for the late paleontologist Jennifer Clack, who studied how tetrapods evolved.
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This 2014 photo provided by Roger M. H. Smith shows Claudia Marsicano, professor at the University of Buenos Aires, examining the new basal tetrapod fossil at the discovery site of a salamander-like creature near the Ugab River in Namibia. Scientists have identified a giant salamanderlike predator with sharp fangs that likely ruled waters 280 million years ago. (Roger M. H. Smith via AP)
This image provided by Gabriel Lio shows an artistic reconstruction of what the prehistoric salamander-like creature may have looked like. Researchers discovered a giant salamander-like predator that lived about 280 million years ago, using fossils recovered from Namibia. (Gabriel Lio via AP)
This July 2, 2018 image provided by Claudia Marsicano shows an image of the nearly complete skeleton from fossils recovered in Namibia of a giant salamander-like creature at the Paleontology lab in Cape Town, South Africa. (Claudia Marsicano via AP)
ATLANTA (AP) — Trea Turner hit a pair of two-run home runs off Max Fried, Aaron Nola earned his 100th career victory and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 8-6 on Friday night.
The NL East-leading Phillies extended their lead over second-place Atlanta to 10 games by winning the opener of the weekend series.
The Phillies have three key hitters — Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto — on the injured list but still had 15 hits.
“It's what makes a good team,” Nola said.
Added manager Rob Thomson: “It says a lot. Our front office has done a great job of creating that depth.”
Nola (10-4) retired Atlanta's first 10 batters before giving up a one-out single to Ozzie Albies in the fourth inning. Austin Riley followed with a two-run homer to center field. Albies had three hits, including a homer, and Marcell Ozuna added a three-run shot in the eighth off José Alvarado.
The Braves' three homers were not enough to overcome the power show from Turner, the shortstop who on Wednesday was voted one of Philadelphia's three National League All-Star Game starters. Third baseman Alec Bohm and Harper also were voted as starters by fans, but Harper's left hamstring strain leaves his All-Star status uncertain.
Turner hit his first homer off Fried (7-4) in the Phillies' three-run fourth. Turner's second two-run shot carried 459 feet into the left field seats in the sixth for his 16th career multi-homer game. It was the longest homer of his career.
“I knew I hit it good,” Turner said. “I didn't know I hit it that far.”
The 6-foot-2 Turner is listed at only 185 pounds, making his power a surprise even for Thomson.
“He's not the biggest guy on the planet and I don't know how he hits the ball so far,” Thomson said.
Nola improved to 100-75 in his career. He have up three runs with eight strikeouts in six innings.
Fried allowed five runs and a season-high 11 hits in six innings.
Three Atlanta errors led to two unearned runs in the Phillies’ three-run seventh.
Jeff Hoffman pitched a perfect ninth for his eighth save.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: RHP Tyler Phillips' contract was selected from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Thomson said Phillips provides depth for the bullpen, especially with rain in the forecast for the weekend. RHP Yunior Marte was optioned to Lehigh Valley and RHP Luis F. Ortiz (right elbow UCL sprain) was moved to the 60-day IL. ... Schwarber (left groin strain) plans to run the bases Saturday. Harper “is not far behind,” according to Thomson.
Braves: SS Orlando Arcia started after having an abscessed tooth removed, causing him to miss three games. ... OF Forrest Wall was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to clear a spot for Eli White, who was recalled and was 0-for-4 as the LF starter, striking out to end the game. OF Ramón Laureano continues to be held out with lower back soreness, leaving the team one player short of having a full healthy active roster. The Braves signed OF Eddie Rosario to a minor league deal and Rosario tripled in his debut with Gwinnett. Rosario was released by Washington on Wednesday. Rosario, 32, played with Atlanta from 2021-23 and was the MVP of the 2021 NLCS. “We know what he's capable of,” said manager Brian Snitker.
UP NEXT
Atlanta rookie Spencer Schwellenbach (1-4, 5.68 ERA) will look for his second win when he faces Philadelphia left-hander Ranger Suárez (10-2, 2.27) on Saturday night.
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Philadelphia Phillies' pitcher José Alvarado (46) delivers in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves' pitcher Jesse Chavez throws in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Philadelphia Phillies' pitcher Orion Kerkering throws in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves' designated hitter Marcell Ozuna rounds second base after a three-run home run in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker watches the playing field in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm tosses the ball to first base in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies (1) is congratulated by teammate Matt Olson, right, after hitting a home run in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Philadelphia Phillies' Trea Turner rounds second base after hitting his second home run of the night in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Groundskeepers prepare the field before a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas catches a pop fly in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried checks the scoreboard in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia (11) and second baseman Ozzie Albies, center, watch an instant replay with umpire Mike Estabrook in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson, left, catches the ball before Philadelphia Phillies Nick Castellanos (8) can tag the bag in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson throws to first base in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner waves to the crowd while rounding second base after hitting a home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
