Around 539 million years ago, Earth witnessed the Cambrian explosion — a pivotal event when nearly all major animal groups suddenly emerged in the fossil record, reshaping the planet's biodiversity. However, this biological boom was interrupted by the Sinsk event around 513 million years ago. While scientists know this first mass extinction of the Phanerozoic — the starting age of visible life — caused widespread species loss, its full impact remained unclear due to a lack of soft-bodied fossils from the period immediately after the event.Dr. Zhu Maoyan, researcher and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (second from right), leads a field team investigating an excavation site for fossils in Mozicun, Shilan town, Huayuan county, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture, Hunan province. [Photo/Xinhua]Around 539 million years ago, Earth witnessed the Cambrian explosion — a pivotal event when nearly all major animal groups suddenly emerged in the fossil record, reshaping the planet's biodiversity. However, this biological boom was interrupted by the Sinsk event around 513 million years ago. While scientists know this first mass extinction of the Phanerozoic — the starting age of visible life — caused widespread species loss, its full impact remained unclear due to a lack of soft-bodied fossils from the period immediately after the event.Now, a breakthrough by Chinese researchers has filled this gap by discovering a top-tier soft-bodied fossil deposit in Hunan province's Huayuan county — dating shortly after the Sinsk event. This discovery, which sheds light on the first mass extinction event's influence on the Earth system, was published in the journal Nature on Thursday.Over the past five years, the research team, led by scientists from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has collected and analyzed 50,000 fossil specimens from the Huayuan deposit. They identified 153 animal species, nearly 60 percent of which were new to science.Zhu Maoyan, a CAS academician who led the study, highlighted the uniqueness of the Huayuan fossils, noting that unlike previous fossils, which mostly preserve hard shells or bones, these fossils are extraordinarily well-preserved and diverse. They include soft tissues such as digestive systems, gills, and even nervous systems, offering an unprecedented glimpse into early animal anatomy."The presence of diverse active predators and abundant far-ocean-living tunicate forms reveals a deep-water faunal community with a complex food web and mechanisms for moving carbon from the ocean surface to the deep sea through biological processes," Zhu said.This combo image shows an aminal's fossil from the Huayuan Biota (L) and its restored image. [Photo/Xinhua]Scientists found that the biota thrived in the outer deep-water environment far from shore. By comparing it to other Cambrian fossil sites — such as the famous Chengjiang biota in Yunnan province and the Burgess Shale biota in Canada's Yoho National Park — they found that shallow-water ecosystems suffered catastrophic losses, with many species vanishing after the extinction. Meanwhile, deep-sea communities like Huayuan retained key species that survived the crisis and later repopulated other regions."These findings support that the Sinsk event was likely driven by environmental disasters in shallow waters, such as widespread anoxia," said Zeng Han, an associate researcher at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology."The deep-water environment served as a biotic refugium, where life could endure during mass extinctions," he said, adding that these environments not only preserved ancient lineages but also likely fueled evolutionary innovation, as surviving species adapted to new niches.Robert Gaines, a professor of geology at Pomona College in the United States, spoke highly of the discovery, praising it as "a world-class fossil site" that fills a critical gap in Earth's history. Its high diversity and preservation quality rival those of the Chengjiang and Burgess Shale sites, offering a new benchmark for studying Cambrian ecosystems.
Thousands of newly analyzed fossils discovered at a rock quarry in southern China and dating to 512 million years ago provide new details about what life was like for creatures that survived the mass extinction that capped off a pivotal period of rapid evolution and expansion known as the Cambrian explosion.Thousands of newly analyzed fossils discovered at a rock quarry in southern China and dating to 512 million years ago provide new details about what life was like for creatures that survived the mass extinction that capped off a pivotal period of rapid evolution and expansion known as the Cambrian explosion.During the early stages of the Cambrian era, which stretched from about 541 million to 485 million years ago, increasingly complex life forms filled the seas, setting the stage for the evolution of nearly every phylum alive today. Then, about 513.5 million years ago, major tectonic shifting disrupted the world’s oceans and wiped out about half of the species known to have lived at the time—an obliteration known as the Sinsk Event. Until now, researchers knew little about how this mass extinction affected soft-bodied sea creatures like the distant ancestors of modern sea worms and jellies.The newly described fossils representing 153 species—including a tiny, tubular, spiky Allonnia specimen, pictured above—indicate soft-bodied animals in deep water fared better than those in shallow water, scientists report today in Nature.The fossils—more than half of which were previously unknown—include arthropods, sponges, and other invertebrates. Such diversity hints at a complex food web, the authors write. Evolutionary links between these fossils and their contemporaries found elsewhere around the world suggest underwater ecosystems were more interconnected during the early Cambrian than was previously believed.Link: https://www.science.org/content/article/motley-crew-fossils-illuminates-ancient-mysterious-extinction-event.
Scientists in China have unearthed a treasure trove of ancient fossils that is helping to rewrite the story of one of Earth's earliest and least-understood catastrophes: the first mass extinction of complex animal life.Scientists in China have unearthed a treasure trove of ancient fossils that is helping to rewrite the story of one of Earth's earliest and least-understood catastrophes: the first mass extinction of complex animal life.This event, known as the Sinsk event, struck about 513 million years ago. It occurred not long after the Cambrian explosion, a remarkable period during which all major animal groups first appeared in the oceans. The extinction was severe, wiping out the majority of marine animals, with extinction rates of around 41 to 49 percent-- a toll comparable to the later, more famous mass extinctions like the one wiped out the dinosaurs.For decades, however, our comprehension of this crisis has been incomplete. Evidence came mostly from fossils of skeletonized creatures in shallow seas, which only tell part of the story. The key piece of the puzzle -- a detailed record of soft-bodied animals from the period immediately after the extinction -- had long been missing. This gap made it impossible to see its full impact on ocean life.Now, that gap has been spectacularly filled. A team led by researchers from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGPAS) has announced the discovery of the Huayuan Biota, a stunning collection of fossils dating to about 512 million years ago, right on the heels of the Sinsk event. Their findings have been published in the latest issue of the journal Nature.The story of the discovery began in 2020 in Huayuan County, in central China's Hunan Province, when road construction exposed ancient shale rock layers. Scientists began excavating the area and uncovered an extraordinary site. To date, they have collected over 50,000 fossils. An initial study of thousands of these specimens revealed 153 animal species, with a remarkable 59 percent being completely new to science.What makes the Huayuan Biota so important is the exceptional way in which the soft tissues have been preserved. These fossils capture delicate animals -- early relatives of everything from worms and jellyfish to chordates -- in fine detail, showing features like guts, nerves, and gills. This provides an unprecedented snapshot of a complete ancient ecosystem.According to the study, the biota offers crucial new insights into the extinction event itself. By comparing it with fossil communities from shallow waters, the researchers found that the Sinsk event was devastating for life in sunlit, nearshore environments, likely due to deoxygenation. In contrast, the deep-water Huayuan community appears to have been a refuge, suffering far less. This demonstrates that the extinction's impact was not uniform across the oceans.The discovery also reveals a striking global connection: the Huayuan Biota shares several animal species with the Burgess Shale site in North America, despite these continents being separated by a vast ocean during the Cambrian period. This suggests that ancient marine animals, including some with limited swimming abilities, could disperse across incredible distances, according to the study.International experts have hailed the Huayuan Biota as a fossil deposit of global significance, with diversity at this single site rivaling that of world-renowned fossil localities.By providing the missing link right after a major extinction, it offers invaluable clues about resilience and recovery of the ecosystem, said Zhu Maoyan, a researcher at the NIGPAS."This research not only illuminates a pivotal chapter in our planet's distant past but also helps scientists understand how biodiversity responds to and rebounds from planetary crises," he added. (Xinhua)
Scientists in China have unearthed a treasure trove of ancient fossils that is helping to rewrite the story of one of Earth's earliest and least-understood catastrophes: the first mass extinction of complex animal life. The findings were published in Nature on Thursday.
An extraordinary 512-million-year-old fossil site has been discovered in southern China, preserving in vivid detail almost an entire ecosystem from a time shortly after Earth’s first mass extinction event.
NANJING -- Scientists in China have unearthed a treasure trove of ancient fossils that is helping to rewrite the story of one of Earth's earliest and least-understood catastrophes: the first mass extinction of complex animal life.
Almost a hundred new animal species that survived a mass extinction event half a billion years ago have been discovered in a small quarry in China, scientists revealed Wednesday.
In a groundbreaking discovery that reshapes our understanding of early marine ecosystems, scientists have unveiled a remarkably diverse Cambrian soft-bodied biota, dating back approximately 512 million years. This extraordinary fossil assemblage, known as the Huayuan biota, emerges from a lower Cambrian (Stage 4) Lagerstätte situated on the outer shelf in a deep-water setting of the Yangtze Block, Hunan Province, South China. The findings not only represent one of the richest snapshots of marine life during the nascent stages of the Phanerozoic but also unveil complex ecological dynamics that followed the first major Phanerozoic mass extinction event.
What began as a simple childhood fascination has driven Zhu Maoyan into becoming a globally recognized expert in the field of early life evolution and Earth system history.
On top of honors such as being elected as an honorary fellow of the Geological Society of London, Zhu added the title of academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to his repertoire in November.
His pioneering research in paleontology has redefined the understanding of multicellular life before the Cambrian explosion, earning him a spot on Science's 2024 Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs.Zhu Maoyan (second from right) and his students and colleagues conduct a fieldwork in Qinghai province in 2016. CHINA DAILYWhat began as a simple childhood fascination has driven Zhu Maoyan into becoming a globally recognized expert in the field of early life evolution and Earth system history.On top of honors such as being elected as an honorary fellow of the Geological Society of London, Zhu added the title of academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to his repertoire in November.His pioneering research in paleontology has redefined the understanding of multicellular life before the Cambrian explosion, earning him a spot on Science's 2024 Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs.Each year, Science, a leading academic journal, selects the top 10 scientific breakthroughs, honoring the exceptional work of researchers worldwide.To be elected as a CAS academician is the highest academic title in China for science and research workers.Zhu's early motivations were rooted in a simple yet profound desire. Growing up in Wangjiang county, Anhui province, a place noted for its flat terrain north of the Yangtze River, he had never climbed a mountain."A high school classmate once told me that geologists get to climb mountains every day. That idea captivated me," Zhu said. This offhand remark sowed the seeds for Zhu's future, leading him to pursue geology as a means to explore the mountainous terrain he had long dreamed of.In the 1980s, Zhu chose to study at the then Changchun College of Geology in Jilin province.At university, he chose paleontology over other specializations because it was related to biology, a subject he found intriguing."I was drawn to study life forms that existed a long time ago," Zhu said. His curiosity quickly evolved into a deep passion, propelling him to study at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology at the CAS for his doctorate."That was the starting point of my professional research career," he said."Just as every child asks their parents, 'Where did I come from?', humans have an inherent desire to understand nature and life. Our research channels this universal childhood curiosity into rigorous scientific exploration," the 61-year-old said.Zhu's doctoral research focused on the Chengjiang fossils, one of the world's most significant fossil assemblages, providing an unparalleled window into 518-million-year-old fauna in Yunnan province. These fossils are acknowledged internationally as an important world heritage for understanding the evolution of early life.His first field expedition to Yunnan was both challenging and impressive."I spent an entire day traveling to reach a remote site for accommodation, only to find myself in an old wooden house. I was so nervous that night that I placed a wash basin on the door latch as a makeshift alarm."The following morning, Zhu headed up the mountain with his tools to search for fossils, but he was caught in a heavy rainstorm that made the path slippery. The fossil site was located on a steep slope, he said. "My legs were shaking as I climbed, using both my hands and feet to hold onto the surrounding plants, afraid of slipping."Zhu said that as he was young and lacking field experience, he relied purely on determination to make it to the site.From 1997 to 1999, Zhu was a senior visiting scholar, conducting guest research at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany.In 1999, with the support of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' talent program, he returned to China and established his own research team at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology."Over the decades, my team has achieved some results in unraveling the mysteries of the Cambrian explosion and exploring the early evolution of complex life," he said.Over 500 million years ago, during the Cambrian period, all major animal phyla appeared rapidly in what is known as the Cambrian explosion, which established a completely new Earth-life system. This phenomenon has long been a major puzzle for scientists since Darwin, he added."My research in stratigraphy provides the foundational timeline for calibrating the evolution of Earth and life, requiring extensive fieldwork. A significant amount of time and effort has been dedicated to this work," he said.At the institute, Zhu guided his doctoral student, Miao Lanyun, to continue their in-depth research, which led to the discovery of over 200 multicellular eukaryote fossil specimens in the 1.63-billion-year-old strata of the Yanshan Mountain region in North China.This finding pushed back the appearance of multicellular eukaryotes by 70 million years and was included in Science's 2024 Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs.Most complex life forms on Earth today, like animals, plants and fungi, are multicellular eukaryotes. The development of multicellularity in eukaryotes was essential for life to evolve into more complex and larger forms. It was once thought that eukaryotes existed as single cells for about a billion years. However, this new discovery shows that simple multicellular eukaryotes appeared much earlier than previously believed."When you believe something is worth doing and have the interest to support it, you won't feel it is arduous or bothersome, nor will you become impatient," Zhu said with regard to his research experience."I encourage young people to trust their inner voices and not be overly swayed by family or societal pressures. Don't stress about whether your chosen field will be lucrative or respected. Let go of these worries. Make your own judgments, don't give up easily, and you'll always find hope," he said.Zhu and his team are currently focused on three main research areas: extending the study of complex life to earlier time, exploring the origins of life and extraterrestrial life, and delving deeper into the Cambrian explosion."As a pure basic research endeavor, I am often asked about the practical utility of my work. I believe the core value of basic research lies in satisfying humanity's intrinsic curiosity about nature and life. My research is driven by fundamental questions: Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going?"In China, paleontological research has developed rapidly due to increasing investment. In recent years, numerous natural and science museums have opened, Zhu said."This environment encourages both senior and young paleontologists in China to pursue this field. In the future, we should promote the love of nature and life. By doing this, we can inspire more young people to follow their passions and pursue careers in scientific research," he said.While nurturing domestic talent is the foundation, the spirit of science knows no borders."We not only study Chinese paleontological data but also conduct research worldwide," said Zhu."Globally, each continent has unique fossil resources. I hope our research involves more international collaboration to fully utilize these global resources. Our perspective is global, and our research is open to international cooperation. We welcome overseas colleagues to study China's resources," he added. (China Daily)
BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- A group of fossilized tunnels dug by animals about 550 million years ago, discovered in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China, have offered new insights into how the earliest animal activities began to shape the seafloor environment.This undated photo provided by the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences shows a trace fossil discovered in central China's Hubei Province. (Xinhua)BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- A group of fossilized tunnels dug by animals about 550 million years ago, discovered in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China, have offered new insights into how the earliest animal activities began to shape the seafloor environment.Previous research has shown that during a pivotal evolutionary period around 539 million years ago, known as the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition, animals began to shift from simply moving across the seabed to actively exploring deeper layers of sediment. The transition from 2D movement to 3D burrowing turned the ocean bottom from a single, uniform environment into a complex, animal-engineered habitat, fundamentally changing marine ecosystems.Now, a discovery from central China's Hubei Province indicates that this revolutionary change had started much earlier.Researchers from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted a study on the Shibantan Biota, a treasure trove of ancient fossils in Hubei. This fossil biota dates back approximately 550 to 543 million years. They identified several types of burrows made by worm-like animals, indicating that complex animal behaviors were already shaping the seafloor environment nearly 10 million years earlier than previously thought.These findings were on Thursday published in the journal Science Advances. Researchers involved in the study noted their discovery of Treptichnus streptosus, a new type of fossilized, zig-zag burrow made by an ancient worm."Its structure suggests that trace-making creatures were capable of rhythmic and repeatable movement and exploring, which reflects a well-developed nervous system and muscular control," lead researcher Chen Zhe told Xinhua.Chen also mentioned other known traces found at the site, such as tadpole-shaped burrows and complex, compound tunnels created by ancient animals as they walked, searched for food and temporarily dwelled.These adaptations indicate that animal behaviors were already diverse and complex at that time -- earlier than the rapid burst of life known as the Cambrian explosion, Chen explained, while adding that the new study extends the timeline of animal evolutionary sophistication further back than before.This image provided by the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences shows a restoration picture of trace fossils discovered in central China's Hubei Province.(Xinhua)Complex digging behaviors inferred from trace fossils, notably, also caused a lot of disturbance in the sediment.They not only broke up the microbial mats covering the seafloor but also damaged the habitat of Ediacara organisms that lived there, which may have led to their decline, said co-author Liu Yarong, a PhD student at the institute.This means that early animal burrowing may have contributed to the first known mass extinction event -- the decline of the Ediacara biota around 550 million years ago.However, this disturbance also created new opportunities for other types of animals to evolve and diversify. Along with additional biological and environmental factors, early animal burrowing helped drive the major ecosystem transformation that took place at the dawn of the Cambrian period, according to the researchers.In 2018, paleontologists from China and the United States reported the discovery of trace fossils that represented some of the earliest known evidence for animal appendages or legs in the Shibantan Biota in the Yangtze Gorges area.The new study confirms that this biota, with its rich variety of trace and body fossils -- offers a unique window into one of the most important turning points in the history of life, namely the transition from simple life forms to complex ecosystems."Animals are not only shaped by their environment, but they also play a vital role in shaping it," Liu said. Enditem
