What a Bizarre Taco-Shaped Sea Creature Can Teach Us About Evolution
Exceptional fossils show how mandibulates were trapping prey in marine ecosystems 500 million years ago. Researchers have classified the Cambrian marine animal, Odaraia, as a…
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms, typically embedded in sedimentary rock formations. These remnants can include bones, shells, leaves, and even traces of microbial activity, which over millions of years have transformed into stone through processes such as mineralization, where minerals gradually replace the organic material. Fossils play a critical role in paleontology, the scientific study of life in the geological past, providing valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of life on Earth. They help scientists understand extinct species, reconstruct past ecosystems, and trace the evolutionary history of current species. The fossil record, although incomplete, acts as a historical timeline, offering evidence about the different organisms that existed at various periods and their interactions with the environment. This information is crucial for understanding biological and geological processes and for tracking the effects of climatic and environmental changes over Earth’s history.
Exceptional fossils show how mandibulates were trapping prey in marine ecosystems 500 million years ago. Researchers have classified the Cambrian marine animal, Odaraia, as a…
New fossil discoveries at South Africa’s Kromdraai site offer groundbreaking insights into the ancient ecosystems and their role in shaping human evolution, highlighting the interplay…
Ancient snakes have been unearthed, shedding light on the continent’s slithering past. A newly discovered fossil snake species in Wyoming is transforming our understanding of…
Tool marks might represent some of the earliest known signs of human presence in southern South America. Recent findings from Argentina indicate human presence and…
Researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln studied North America’s fossil record over 66 million years, revealing insights into mammalian diversity and ecological shifts that could…
A breakthrough now makes it possible to assemble the genomes of extinct species. A team of scientists from Baylor College of Medicine, the University of…
The discovery of the burrowing dinosaur, Fona herzogae, from the mid-Cretaceous period reveals a complex ecosystem with dinosaurs occupying subterranean niches. This underscores the diversity…
A newly discovered Triassic crocodile relative demonstrates that pseudosuchian archosaurs inhabited global coastal areas, significantly enriching our understanding of Mesozoic marine ecosystems. Researchers have discovered…
Recent findings from the University of Bristol reveal that ammonites, ancient marine mollusks, were not necessarily declining before their extinction 66 million years ago. The…
A new dinosaur species, Comptonatus chasei, discovered on the Isle of Wight, represents a major advancement in understanding Cretaceous-era dinosaur diversity in England, with ongoing…
Recent findings from Cambrian-age trilobite fossils in Morocco, preserved in volcanic ash, have unveiled new anatomical details using advanced imaging, highlighting the potential for discovering…
A recent study utilized museum collections to chart global ammonite diversity prior to their complete extinction. The findings reveal that ammonites were not declining before…
Researchers have discovered exceptionally preserved “Pompeii” trilobite fossils in Morocco, providing new insights into the anatomy and preservation of these ancient creatures through advanced imaging…
The newly discovered Lokiceratops rangiformis features distinctive horns and a caribou-like frill, representing a significant addition to the diversity of North American centrosaurine dinosaurs. Unearthed…
A new study refutes the theory that griffin myths were inspired by Protoceratops dinosaur fossils, revealing inconsistencies in the geographical and historical evidence and advocating…
Researchers have found the oldest Southern Hemisphere fossil of a nothosaur in New Zealand, dating back 246 million years, providing new insights into the early…
The discovery of Parvosuchus aurelioi, a new species of ancient predatory reptile from the pseudosuchian group, was reported in Brazil. Dating back to about 237…
The discovery of the late Ediacaran sponge, Helicolocellus, offers new insights into early sponge evolution, suggesting non-biomineralizing forms existed about 550 million years ago and…