The oldest evidence of motility on Earth

[Logo7]

A new study by researchers from the University of Poitiers has discovered the oldest fossil evidence of motility in the 2.1 billion year old Franceville Basin of Gabon, the same formation where the oldest multicellular organisms have been found. Until now, the oldest trace of motile life was 570 million years old. This study shows that at least some of the multicellular organisms in this area were sophisticated enough to move through the organic matter-rich mud. X-ray computed micro-topography analysis has determined that the evidence is a series of tubular burrows with a diameter of a few millimeters that run through fine layers of sedimentary rock. The researchers hypothesize that the burrows were created by organisms looking for nutritive elements and dioxygen produced by cyanobacteria due to the presence of fossilized microbial biofilms located nearby the traces. The researchers suggest that the creatures that made these traces might have been similar to colonial amoebas, clustering together when resources became scarce, forming a motile, slug-like shape to move in search of a more favorable environment. Here is an image of the fossil traces described in this study and a link to the paper describing this study.



Paper (abstract only): https://www.pnas.org/content/116/9/3431

[Halichoeres]

A major theme of paleontology in the last couple of years is fossil confirmation of what you'd predict based on the distribution and antiquity of traits and taxa as you'd infer from molecular biology and genetics.

[Ravonium]

Interesting find. I wonder when a major company will make a set specifically dedicated to Precambrian life.

[Faelrin]

Fascinating how long ago that was. Way farther back then the Ediacaran period. Makes me wonder what life occurred between those times that we might be missing out on knowing about.

[Brontozaurus]

Interesting find. I wonder when a major company will make a set specifically dedicated to Precambrian life.

I mean by the looks of that fossil, Playdough already has several.