Lost world of complex life and the late rise of the eukaryotic crown
3 institutional releases
Published in Nature · View the paper (DOI)
The discovery of the Protosterol Biota, dated to at least 1.6 billion years ago, reveals a previously unknown 'lost world' of complex eukaryotes that thrived in ancient oceans and lakes. These microscopic creatures are believed to have been the first predators on Earth, playing a pivotal role in shaping ecosystems.
Coverage from 3 institutions
- Scientists discover ‘lost world’ of early ancestors in billion-year-old rocks Australian National University · Jun 7, 2023 · first to report
- Scientists discover ‘lost world’ of our early ancestors in billion-year-old rocks MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen · Jun 7, 2023
- Remains of an extinct world of organisms discovered GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre · Jun 7, 2023