New fossil “treasure trove” pushes back origins of animals four million years

Reconstruction of Jiangchuan biota (~554-539 million years ago). (Xiaodong Wang via SWNS)

By Stephen Beech

The discovery of a fossil "treasure trove" has pushed back the origins of animals at least four million years.

New fossil “treasure trove” pushes back origins of animals four million years

The Haootia-like fossil (an early cnidarian the phylum that includes jellyfish, sea anemones and corals) from the Jiangchuan Biota (~554-539 million years old). (Gaorong Li via SWNS)

New fossil “treasure trove” pushes back origins of animals four million years

Part of the research team from the University of Oxford and Yunnan University during June 2024 fieldwork in the section of Jiangchuan Biota. From left to right, Dr. Wenwen Wen, Professor Peiyun Cong, Dr. Frances Dunn, Associate Professor Luke Parry, Associate Professor Fan Wei and Dr. Gaorong Li. (Gaorong Li via SWNS)

New fossil “treasure trove” pushes back origins of animals four million years

A deuterostome cambroernid fossil from the Jiangchuan Biota (~554-539 million years old) and artist's reconstruction. (Gaorong Li and Xiaodong Wang via SWNS)

Originally published on talker.news, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

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