Discover how researchers found evidence of a predatory worm species surviving 25 million years longer than expected, challenging previous beliefs. Explore the ancient ocean ecosystem of the Cambrian period and learn about the surprising insights derived from examining articulated fossils from Morocco's Fezouata Formation. Delve into the exploration of survival strategies and potential causes of extinction for prehistoric worms, shedding light on the importance of studying ancient biodiversity.
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Quick takeaways
Discovery of Selkirkia worms in Ordovician challenges extinction beliefs in Cambrian period.
Importance of conservation paleobiology in connecting past biodiversity to future ecological changes.
Deep dives
Evolutionary Significance of Cambrian Period
The podcast delves into the Cambrian period, highlighting the explosion of biodiversity 500 million years ago. It discusses the appearance of various animal groups for the first time in the fossil record during this period. Researchers, like Karma Nanglu from Harvard, have focused on studying the unique and sometimes alien-like features of ancient marine animals, offering insights into the early evolutionary history of life on Earth.
Discovery of Selkirkia Worms in Ordovician Period
A key revelation in the podcast is the discovery of Selkirkia worms in the Ordovician period, challenging previous beliefs of their extinction at the end of the Cambrian period. Researchers stumbled upon well-preserved fossils in the Fezwata Formation in Morocco, indicating the existence of these predatory worms 25 million years after their supposed disappearance. This finding extends the longevity of the Selkirkia group and raises questions about the perceived boundaries between different geological eras.
Importance of Conservation Paleobiology
The podcast emphasizes the value of conservation paleobiology, connecting the understanding of past biodiversity to predicting future ecological changes. By exploring ancient marine ecosystems and the origins of animal groups, researchers like Karma Nanglu aim to inspire curiosity and uncover fundamental science questions. Studying ancient fossils provides insights into the marine biosphere's origin and the continuity of animal groups to this day.
500 million years ago, the world was a very different place. During this period of time, known as the Cambrian period, basically all life was in the water. The ocean was brimming with animals that looked pretty different from the ones we recognize today — including a group of predatory worms with a throat covered in teeth and spines.
Researchers thought these tiny terrors died out at the end of the Cambrian period. But a paper published recently in the journal Biology Letters showed examples of a new species of this worm in the fossil record 25 million years after scientists thought they'd vanished from the Earth. One of the authors of the paper, Karma Nanglu, tells us how this finding may change how scientists understand the boundaries of time.
Curious about other weird wonders of the ancient Earth? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.