In a groundbreaking collaboration, researchers from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Australian colleagues have uncovered the first Palaeospondylus fossils outside Scotland. This tiny, eel-like fish has puzzled scientists for over a century.
Originally documented in 1890 from more than 1,000 specimens in Scotland, Palaeospondylus escaped classification. Its skeletal features defied placement in any major fish group—from jawless hagfish to lobe-finned larvae—earning it the title of one of the most mysterious early vertebrates.
Now, newly unearthed fossils from western Queensland's Cravens Peak Beds date back to the Early Devonian Emsian epoch—about 400 million years ago—pushing its known existence back by 10 million years. High-resolution CT scans and advanced 3D reconstruction allowed the team to restore the complete neurocranial structure, revealing semicircular canals and nerve canals that hold critical evolutionary clues.
The study, featured on the cover of National Science Review, received praise in an accompanying commentary for "a huge improvement on our previous understanding," overturning old hypotheses and marking a major leap in decoding this ancient vertebrate puzzle.
Phylogenetic analysis based on the new data suggests Palaeospondylus belongs to the cartilaginous fish lineage, rather than the tetrapod stem group as once thought. Lead researcher Lu Jing highlighted that this digital approach not only solves a 400-million-year-old mystery but also sets a new standard for fossil research.
Beyond the biological breakthrough, the team developed a novel cross-platform volumetric data reconstruction method, streamlining CT data processing and cross-verification. This innovation promises to accelerate future paleontological discoveries and deepen our understanding of life's early chapters.
From international teamwork to cutting-edge tech, this discovery shines a spotlight on how modern methods can unlock Earth's deep past. For adventurers and science fans alike, Queensland's ancient rock layers are offering new stories to tell.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
