Strange Fossils Discovered...

[Rockhopper]

Worm Sperm:

This remarkable find of fossilized spermatozoa from a clitellate or “collared” worm represents the oldest animal sperm ever discovered, beating the previous record holder—springtail sperm found in Baltic amber—by at least 10 million years.

The sperm preservation was made possible because such worms reproduce by releasing their eggs and sperm into protective cocoons. In this case, a tough shell kept the cocoons intact until scientists discovered them in shallow marine gravels on the Antarctic Peninsula. Even then, it required high-powered microscopic analysis for the sperm to be spotted.

The sperm most resemble those of a leech-like group of worms that attach themselves to crayfish, even though today these live only in the northern hemisphere. But the researchers think the technique could be applied to other cocoon fossils, and help us learn more about previously cryptic creatures.

And some more.


Tim.

[Kaere]

Wow... that's really amazing!