Scientists found a “lost world” of animals that shouldn’t exist yet
Fossils from over 540 million years ago in China reveal a surprisingly diverse and advanced late Ediacaran ecosystem, pushing back the origins of key animal groups like starfish relatives and vertebrate ancestors.
Fossils from over 540 million years ago in China reveal a surprisingly diverse and advanced late Ediacaran ecosystem, pushing back the origins of key animal groups like starfish relatives and vertebrate ancestors. | Contesto: cronaca
Punti chiave
- Scientists found a “lost world” of animals that shouldn’t exist yet
Contesto
A groundbreaking fossil discovery in southwest China is fundamentally rewriting the narrative of how complex animal life first emerged. The findings demonstrate that many crucial animal groups evolved millions of years earlier than the scientific consensus had previously held. Dating back more than 540 million years, these exceptionally preserved fossils capture a snapshot of a surprisingly sophisticated ecosystem from the late Ediacaran period. This era predates the famous Cambrian explosion, long considered the primary dawn of complex life. Among the remarkable finds are early evolutionary relatives of modern starfish, various worm-like creatures, and even primitive ancestors of animals with backbones. This diversity indicates a previously unrecognized level of biological complexity. The discovery strongly suggests that the foundational roots of nearly all modern animal life were already firmly taking shape in this ancient 'lost world'. It challenges the timeline and pace of early animal evolution on Earth.
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Categoria: cronaca