The Triassic period, spanning from approximately 252 to 201 million years ago, represents one of the most transformative times in the history of life on Earth. Following the largest mass extinction event in the planet’s history, the Permian-Triassic extinction, life began to recover and evolve in radically new ways. During the Triassic, the planet saw the emergence and evolution of many of the life forms that would dominate the Earth for millions of years, particularly the dinosaurs, as well as the early ancestors of modern mammals. The Central European Basin, particularly the region around southwest Germany, has long been recognized as a critical area for understanding the Triassic, thanks to its exceptional fossil record. This region continues to provide invaluable insights into the ecosystems, climate, and evolutionary processes of the time.
In a groundbreaking new study published in Earth-Science Reviews, an international team of researchers, led by paleontologists Dr. Eudald Mujal and Prof. Rainer Schoch of the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart, presents a comprehensive review of Triassic terrestrial tetrapods—four-limbed vertebrates—of the Central European Basin. This is the first time that fossilized skeletal remains and footprints from this era have been analyzed together, providing a more complete picture of the prehistoric world. The study draws upon the museum’s extensive paleontological collections, which have been crucial for advancing our understanding of Triassic life.
The Central European Basin: A Key Region for Triassic Research
The region of southwest Germany, particularly the area known as Baden-Württemberg, lies within the heart of what was once the Central European Basin. This geological area was a key location during the Triassic, offering researchers a detailed window into life before, during, and after the mass extinction event that defined the boundary between the Permian and Triassic periods. The fossil-bearing rock formations found here, which include extensive outcrops, have yielded remarkable examples of terrestrial vertebrates and the environments in which they lived.
The significance of this area cannot be overstated. As one of the best-preserved geological areas for this period, it serves as a living archive that provides paleontologists with critical data to reconstruct the ecology, evolution, and diversity of life forms during the Triassic. The relatively complete preservation of fossils in this area enables a deeper understanding of the environmental conditions, climate fluctuations, and evolutionary processes that shaped the life forms of this time.
Dr. Mujal, the first author of the study, explains the importance of this period in Earth’s evolutionary history. “The Triassic is an important window into the past for understanding evolutionary patterns, adaptations, and the emergence of ecological niches. Terrestrial tetrapod communities are particularly fascinating. The rise of the dinosaurs began in the Triassic, there were already predecessors of modern mammals, and predatory crocodile relatives encountered giant amphibians. Research into the environment and animal communities is extremely exciting for us,” he notes.
Ecological Context of the Triassic: Biodiversity and Climate Change
The Triassic period is considered a time of rebirth and diversification after the catastrophic Permian-Triassic extinction event. The fossil record from this period provides critical insights into how life rebounded and how new ecosystems and ecological niches were established. Research conducted by Dr. Mujal and his colleagues reveals that the Triassic not only marks the rise of the dinosaurs but also sees the emergence of many other forms of terrestrial tetrapods, such as the ancestors of modern mammals and other reptiles. This diversification laid the groundwork for the ecosystems of the Mesozoic Era and beyond.
By combining geological and paleontological data, the team has constructed a detailed picture of the environmental conditions and biodiversity of the Triassic. For example, the researchers examined various fossil deposits that represent different paleoenvironments, ranging from arid deserts to lush floodplains, and correlated these with the faunas they contained. This allowed them to make inferences about how climate change during the period might have influenced the evolutionary trajectories of different species.
The study also sheds light on the impact of environmental changes on Triassic ecosystems. The period saw fluctuating climatic conditions, including both warming and cooling events, which may have driven evolutionary adaptations in different species. For instance, the early Triassic was marked by a relatively hot and dry climate, which gradually transitioned into more varied and temperate conditions in the later stages. This change in climate could have influenced the appearance of new species and the extinction of others, further contributing to the dynamic and ever-changing nature of life during the Triassic.
“Our team has correlated all the fossil finds with their paleoenvironments. This has allowed us to understand how Triassic tetrapod communities evolved in their environment and how they responded to climate change, for example. Our results can also serve as a model for present-day ecosystems. A comprehensive overview of a geological period, like the Triassic, can also help us to assess the long-term consequences of climate change and biodiversity loss today,” says Dr. Mujal.
Evolution of Terrestrial Tetrapods in the Triassic
The Triassic period was crucial for the evolution of terrestrial vertebrates, or tetrapods. These creatures would go on to dominate the Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems for millions of years. During the early Triassic, following the extinction of the dominant Permian faunas, the first true dinosaurs began to emerge, eventually leading to their rise as the dominant terrestrial vertebrates of the Mesozoic Era. Alongside dinosaurs, other groups such as early crocodile relatives, giant amphibians, and the first mammals also began to diversify.
The fossil record from the Central European Basin has yielded many important specimens that highlight the complex interactions between these different groups of animals. Some of the most spectacular finds include the footprints and skeletal remains of early dinosaurs, as well as the remains of early crocodile relatives such as the rauisuchians—large, predatory reptiles that were among the top predators of the time. The large amphibians, such as the temnospondyls, were also an important part of the ecosystem, often competing with early reptiles for resources.
These findings provide new insights into the ways in which these groups coexisted and interacted, helping to build a more nuanced understanding of Triassic ecosystems. The study also reveals that the Triassic was far more biodiverse than previously thought, with a greater variety of terrestrial vertebrates occupying numerous ecological niches. The work of Dr. Mujal and his colleagues is vital in reconstructing these complex ecological relationships, contributing to our understanding of the broader evolutionary patterns of life on Earth.
The Role of the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart in Triassic Research
The State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart is home to one of the most important fossil collections in the world, particularly in regard to Triassic terrestrial tetrapods. The museum’s extensive archives have been instrumental in advancing paleontological research, and its collection continues to be a primary resource for scientists studying the Triassic period.
The recent study, spearheaded by Dr. Mujal and Prof. Schoch, represents a collaborative effort by an interdisciplinary research team. This work combined paleontological analysis with geological fieldwork, detailed fossil examination, and an extensive literature review. The result is a comprehensive overview of the Triassic terrestrial tetrapod faunas and ecosystems that is unprecedented in its scope.
Prof. Rainer Schoch, Head of Paleontology at the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart and senior author of the study, emphasizes the importance of this work in the broader field of paleontology. “Our team has analyzed all the relevant fossils and geological strata of the Triassic in southern Germany and other parts of Europe for this important project, combining different research approaches. At the same time, a comprehensive literature review was carried out. Overall, the publication makes an important contribution to our understanding of the history of the Earth and the evolution of its organisms,” says Schoch.
Conclusion
The Triassic period was a time of profound change, recovery, and innovation in the evolution of life on Earth. The research conducted by Dr. Mujal, Prof. Schoch, and their team has provided invaluable new insights into the diversity, ecology, and evolution of terrestrial tetrapod communities during this critical period. By analyzing fossilized skeletal remains, footprints, and geological strata from the Central European Basin, the team has made significant strides in reconstructing the ecosystems and evolutionary pathways of the Triassic.
As the planet faces challenges related to climate change and biodiversity loss today, studies like this one can serve as a model for understanding the long-term consequences of environmental shifts on life. The findings from this study not only deepen our understanding of the distant past but also provide important lessons for our future as we navigate the changing climate and strive to preserve biodiversity on Earth. The continued exploration of the Triassic, particularly in regions like southwest Germany, promises to yield even more exciting discoveries that will further illuminate this pivotal period in Earth’s history.
Reference: Eudald Mujal et al, Triassic terrestrial tetrapod faunas of the Central European Basin, their stratigraphical distribution, and their palaeoenvironments, Earth-Science Reviews (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2025.105085