Source: TH
Context: A new, well-preserved coelacanth fossil has prompted a re-evaluation of how Earth’s geology drives evolution.
What are Coelacanths?
They are ancient deep-sea fish, believed to be extinct until rediscovered in 1938. They have been around for over 410 million years and are closely related to tetrapods.
A newly discovered, well-preserved coelacanth fossil has led scientists to re-evaluate evolution, revealing that tectonic plate activity, rather than ocean conditions, played a key role in driving the creation of new species. This challenges previous assumptions about how Earth’s geology influences evolutionary patterns.
This discovery came from a fossil in Australia’s Gogo Formation. The living coelacanth species, although similar to their ancient relatives, show slight changes in DNA and body proportions, challenging the idea that they are “living fossils.”
