Discover Cambrian multicellular fossil fossil in China

The pre-Cambrian fossil discovered in the rocks of southern China suggests that the life of complex multicellular organisms appeared at least 600 million years ago.

This spherical fossil was discovered in phosphorite rock collected in Guizhou Province, China in 1997.

Photos: Sci-News

Some previous studies have explained microorganisms, called Megasphaera , like bacteria, single-celled eukaryotes, algae, symmetrical bilateral animals or transitional forms related to existing animals. Great like sponges and anemones. However, their complete life cycle has only recently been decoded.

In a new study, published in Nature, a group of paleontologists under the leadership of Dr. Xunlai Yuan of the Institute of Geological Geology and paleontology described microfossils Megasphaera that had previously been Although neglect has been collected nearly two decades ago.

Fossils representing Megasphaera show that complex multicellular cells are different from simple bacteria and appeared at least 600 million years ago.

This Sci-News quoted Professor Shuhai Xiao as saying that this opens a new direction for the study of the time and evolution of multicellular organisms.

The title has been changed.