Discovered intestinal fossils 550 million years old

Researchers from the University of Missouri on Tuesday announced the discovery of the oldest fossilized intestines on Earth in the Nevada desert.

Cloudinid fossils 550 million years old in Nevada desert, USA.(Photo: University of Missouri).

The specimen was identified as belonging to a group of worm-like tubular creatures called Cloudinids , which lived more than half a billion years ago. In the study, paleontologists led by Dr. Jim Schiffbauer used X-rays to create three-dimensional digital images. This technique allows them to see the internal anatomical structure of the organism without damaging the fossils.

"This finding is not only the oldest intestinal fossil known, but it also helps decode the evolutionary trait of the Cloudinid creature , " Schiffbauer said. "Now we can say that their anatomical structure is more like worms than corals."

The hologram shows the internal anatomical structure of the Cloudinid species.(Photo: University of Missouri).

Based on the hologram, the team found that the intestine of the Cloudinid species runs from the beginning to the end of the body, meaning they have a separate mouth and anus. This is different from corals when their intestines are just a simple pocket, where the mouth simultaneously acts as anus. Cloudinid's gastrointestinal tract allows them to feed and remove waste much more effectively.

Graphics simulating the species Cloudinid.(Photo: University of Missouri).

The new discovery is considered significant in the evolutionary history of life because Cloudinid is one of the oldest and richest fossil groups on Earth. The research was published in Nature Communications on January 10.

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