The animal fossils recently discovered in Canada by a geologist are dated 890 million years, which, according to reports, make a possible discovery of fossils that are 350 million years older than the oldest undisputed sponge fossils.
Specifically, a USA TODAY report specified that the fossilized structures discovered in rock specimens potentially reveal sponges that existed millions of years ago in underwater reefs.
Describing this new find, Professor Elizabeth Turner from Laurentian University said that what had just been discovered may characterize the oldest animal fossils ever found.
Previously, researchers estimated that sponges existed before more complex creatures for more than 540 million years ago. Although, there were no fossilized sponges that scientists discovered that would prove a timeline for the ancient creatures.
Fossilized Sponges
The Kentucky Geological Survey describes sponges or porifera as the simplest of animal fossils found in Kentucky. They all live underwater, with most of them existing in seawater.
Sponges have a great range of shapes, although all of them have pores, pumping large amounts of seawaters. This KGC report also said that most modern sponges do not hide a hard skeleton that would be preserved after death.
However, some modern sponge forms conceal silica or calcium carbonate, and these are sorts that have been preserved in Kentucky as fossils.
One of the most uncommon or rarest fossilized sponges in Kentucky is a silica sponge called Brachiospongia digitate. The diameter of this sort ranges between 6-12 inches. It is found in Ordovician limestones and siltstones in the Blue Grass Region.
Life On Earth Began 3.5 Billion Years Ago
The Washington Post reported that Turner went back to retrieve more samples and was assisted by today's advances in the study - those of much more modern sponges that are mere aquatic animals that have solid yet absorbent skeletons.
The professor became confident enough to have her findings published via the study "Possible Poriferan Body Fossils in Early Neoproterozoic Microbial Reefs," in the journal Nature.
In connection to this new find, scientists believe that life on this planet began roughly 3.5 billion years ago. The first animals emerged much later, although the exact timeline remains the subject of discussion due to the absence of fossilized evidence.
Turner explained that in the fossil records seen in Museums or geology teaching labs, animal fossils, as per the rock record, are dated below 540 million years old.
Animal Fossils Dating Back to the Cambrian Period
As specified in the study, the first undisputed fossils date back to the Cambrian period when animals initially developed solid skeletons, shells, and exoskeletons, which were possible for preservation.
This discovery of Turner could help in proving that the scientific theory on the existence of sponges before more complex creatures.
Studied using a microscope, the small sections of rock uncovered by Turner have a meshwork of three-dimensional structures that branch out in a unique way and rejoining. This closely looks like the skeletons of modern sponges.
According to paleobiologist David Bottjer of the University of Southern California, who was not part of the study, he thinks that Turner got quite a strong case. He added that it is putting the evidence out there for others to consider.
As for Turner, she said that the discovery is not an ordinary story in the field of science. She described her findings as "slow science" - a story about the evolution of early animals.
A related report is shown on Stream News's YouTube video below:
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