Beneath the arid soil of South Australia, a new piece of the evolutionary puzzle has been discovered. A 555 million year old fossil offers a unique insight into the appearance of the first animals.
Codename: The simpsons question. This prehistoric organism reveals a key stage in the complexity of forms of vielong before the appearance of modern species.
Image Walker Weyland.
This discovery was made in the Nilpena Ediacara National Park, a place known for its fossils from the Ediacaran period. Researchers have found valuable traces of evolution there.
The simpsons question is distinguished by its asymmetry left-right, a rare feature. This evolutionary trait brings it closer to current animals, marking a significant leap in biological diversity. This fossil also reveals prints which indicate a shift autonomous on the seabed. A first for an organism of this era, reinforcing its importance in understanding the beginnings of animal life.
The team led by Scott Evans of the University of Florida identified genetic similarities between Quaestio and modern animals, a bridge between passé and present.
This ability to move and feed on mats of microscopic algae makes Quaestio a precursor to more complex life forms. As excavations continue in this region, each new discovery enriches our view of the origins of complex life. Without a doubt, other clues about evolution still await us under Australian soil.
What is left-right asymmetry in evolution?
Left-right asymmetry is a biological characteristic where the left and right sides of an organism have notable differences. Unlike the symmetry perfect, observed in many primitive organisms, this asymmetry is the sign of evolutionary complexity.
In animals, this asymmetry is often associated with specialized bodily functions. For example, in humans, the heart is located on the left, and the liver on the right. This organization is due to the expression of specific genes which direct growth and positioning organs during embryonic development.
The discovery of this asymmetry in The simpsons question shows that this mechanism already existed more than 555 million years ago. This means that the genetic basis of body organization was already in place long before the appearance of more advanced animals like humans. vertebrates.
