Shuhai Xiao from Geosciences has discovered fossils dating back 550 million years, among the oldest known manifestations of animal mobility | Virginia Tech Daily



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Remarkably, the discovery also marks what may be the first sign of decision-making in animals – the trails suggest an effort to move or move away from something, perhaps under the guidance of a sophisticated central nervous system said Xiao. Animal mobility has had environmental and ecological impacts on the Earth's surface system and ultimately led to Cambrian substrate and agronomic revolutions, he said.

"We are the most powerful animal on the planet," said Xiao, also an affiliate of Virginia Tech's Global Change Center. "We have a huge footprint, not only of locomotion, but also many other more important activities related to our ability to move. When and how animal locomotion has evolved defines a significant geological and evolutionary context of anthropogenic impact on the surface of the Earth. "

Rachel Wood, a professor from The School of GeoSciences at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, which did not participate in the study, said: "This is a remarkable discovery of extremely important fossils. We now have evidence that segmented animals were present and had acquired the ability to cross the seabed before the Cambrian, and more specifically we can trace the trace manufacturer. Such preservation is unusual and provides considerable insight on a major stage in the evolution of animals. "

The study was funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Science Foundation of the United States and the National Geographic Society.

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