Researchers from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology in China unearthed remarkably preserved fossils dating back 512 million years, as reported by the newspaper “Izvestia,” citing the journal NewScientist.
This discovery is placed at the beginning of the Cambrian Period (541 million years ago), an era characterized by a massive surge in global biodiversity. This evolutionary explosion was abruptly halted by the Sinsk Event, which occurred approximately 513.5 million years ago. The consequence of this event was a severe depletion of oxygen levels in the oceans, leading to the demise of numerous species.
To date, scientists have examined 8,681 fossil specimens, representing 153 distinct species, with roughly 60% of these being previously unknown to science. It is anticipated that this breakthrough will offer deeper insights into ancient ecosystems and better elucidate the impact of diseases and infections on ancient animal populations.
It is specified that the analysis of the Huayuan biota, comprising 16 groups of benthic animals that inhabited the deep ocean floor, suggests they experienced less severe effects from the Sinsk Event. According to Han Zeng from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, the major extinction primarily impacted shallow-water environments, while deeper marine settings suffered relatively minor consequences.
The published findings also indicate that arthropods form the majority among the discovered fossils, alongside the identification of mollusks. Notably, the researchers identified the largest creature uncovered as Guanshancaris kunmingensis, presumed to have been a predator.
As Zeng explained, the exceptional state of preservation is attributed to the rapid burial of the specimens under a layer of fine mud. Soft tissues, encompassing legs, antennae, tentacles, respiratory organs, eyes, neural tissues, intestines, and the pharynx, retained an astonishing level of detail.
Previously, scientists in the Pacific Ocean identified three novel species of deep-sea snailfish (Liparidae). The researchers detailed the species as the bumpy, slender, and dark snailfish. All specimens were collected using the submersibles Doc Ricketts and the deep-sea submersible Alvin. As of now, the bumpy snailfish is known from only a single specimen.
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