Dr. Brian Villata
Why are there creatures that we know existed, but they didn’t leave traces? And why do some endure for centuries? A new study explains.
The body composition of an animal, what is done, completely influences whether or not to leave fossil. And fossils are not just old bones – soft tissues have been discovered such as muscles, viscera and even brains.
A Swiss team decided to unravel the mystery, and performed simulation analysis of the decomposition of various animals, from Cameroon to Worms and Stars, through high-tech laboratory experiences.
O, published in Nature This month, not only helps to explain the irregular nature of fossil record, but also offer a valuable view of the chemical processes that shape ancient life.
Researcher Nora Corthésy emphasizes in which it is possible to realize that a species existed without observing her fossil. “If an animal decomposes quickly, Its absence is probably due to poor preservation. If it decomposes slowly, it is more likely that its absence is environmentally friendly, that is, a true absence of the original ecosystem, ”he says.
The researchers found that the larger animals and those that have a higher protein content They tend to more quickly create reducing conditions (poor in oxygen), essential to fossilization.
“We also know that factors such as salinity and temperature They also play a role in preservation. For example, high salinity may increase the potential for preserving an organism, as large amounts of salt slows down the decomposition similar to low temperatures, ”explains Corthésy.
“This means that in naturetwo animals buried side by side can have very different destinations such as fossils, Simply due to differences in size or body chemistry, ”says the scientist.
