研究人员在位于洛杉矶的拉布雷亚沥青坑化石收藏中识别出一个新的已灭绝两栖动物物种——冰河时代蛤蟆（Spea labreae）1。这些骨骼标本自1950年代起就被妥善保存，但直到研究人员注意到其形态特征与已知物种存在明显差异后，才被确认为新物种1。
Dr. Alberto Cruz领导的研究团队的这一发现具有重要的古生物学意义1。该物种是北美仅有的第二个已灭绝的更新世两栖动物记录，首个记录来自佛罗里达的一种树蛙1。这项研究将发表在《脊椎动物古生物学杂志》上1。该发现有助于科学家进一步理解冰河时代末期洛杉矶的气候环境变化1。值得注意的是，冰河时代蛤蟆的现存近亲墨西哥掘地蛤蟆（Rhinophrynus）的分布地点现距离洛杉矶约2,500公里1。
Scientists have identified a previously unknown extinct species from Ice Age Los Angeles hidden within fossil collections at the La Brea Tar Pits for decades.1 The newly named species, Spea labreae, was discovered among skeletal remains that have been housed in the collection since the 1950s, only recognized as distinct from known species when researchers examined them closely.1
Dr. Alberto Cruz led the research identifying this spadefoot toad species, with findings set to be published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology in 2026.1 The discovery marks only the second recorded extinct Pleistocene amphibian in North America, the other being a tree frog from Florida.1 The finding provides insight into the climate and environmental conditions of the Los Angeles area during the waning Ice Age.1 Modern Mexican burrowing toads, which are related to the newly discovered species, now inhabit regions approximately 2,500 kilometers from Los Angeles, suggesting significant shifts in species distribution since the Pleistocene epoch.1
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