New Ice Age Toad Species Discovered at La Brea Tar Pits
Researchers have identified a new species of extinct amphibian, the spadefoot toad Spea labreae, at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. This discovery marks only the second extinct Pleistocene amphibian found in North America. The study, published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, was led by Dr. Alberto Cruz, who identified the species while reviewing the Tar Pits' collection of amphibians and reptiles. The presence of S. labreae provides new insights into the climate and environmental conditions at the end of the last Ice Age. Amphibians, due to their sensitivity to environmental changes, serve as excellent indicators of past climates, making this discovery significant for understanding historical climate shifts. 
