Shown are scanning electron photomicrographs of two fossil embryo specimens from the 600-million-year-old Doushantuo Formation in South China. The soccer-ball-shaped specimen is interpreted as an early stage (blastula) embryo, and the baseball-shaped specimen is interpreted as an intermediate-stage helical embryo consisting of three clockwise coils. Each embryo used to be enclosed in an envelope, which was removed (some piece still remains in the soccer-ball-shaped specimen) so that the embryo itself is exposed. Embryos are about 0.55-0.75 millimeter in diameter. Background shows the Doushantuo rocks from which the embryos were extracted. (Credit: Shuhai Xiao)
In the February issue of Geology, the journal of the Geological Society of America, Xiao will report discoveries about the intermediary stage that links the embryo to the adult. (Cover story "Rare helical spheroidal fossils from the Doushantuo Lagerstatte: Ediacaran animal embryos come of age?" by Xiao, James W. Hagadorn of Amherst, and Chuanming Zhou and Xunlai Yuan of Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology.)
While there are thousands of early-stage embryos, there are only 80 have been recovered that have advanced to an intermediary stage of development. The intermediary stage embryos have an envelope similar to that of earlier embryonic stage, and they have a coiled tubular embryo within the envelope. Their envelope has a groove on the surface, consisting of three clockwise coils. Using microfocus X-ray computed tomography (microCT) imaging, the scientists virtually peeled off the envelope and exposed the embryo inside. The tubular embryo is also coiled, with three clockwise coils. In some specimens, the scientists found signs of uncoiling. "This is further evidence that these embryos would have grown into the tubular organisms," Xiao said.
In the article, the researchers state, "... if this possibility holds up to further testing, the new fossils may bridge the developmental gap between two previously described Doushantuo forms."
"The discovery of additional intermediary stages and even more advanced specimens would be the ultimate test," Xiao said. But the conditions that preserved the ancient embryos may not have been favorable for preserving or fossilizing more developed life forms, the researchers note. Connecting the first moments of animal evolution will likely require more use of advanced imaging techniques.
Xiao's research is supported by the National Science Foundation. Images and information about the Doushantuo project are at http://www.geos.vt.edu/people/xiao/.
Note: This article has been adapted from a news release issued by Virginia Tech and linked in the first sentence.
