LONDON: Scientists discovered several 520-million-year-old fossilized arthropod brains in China. The finding is the proof that, contrary to the popular belief, that brain tissue do fossilize and it provides new insights on the complex evolution of brains.
Researchers found the fossilized brains of Fuxianhuia protensa, an extinct marine arthropod that lived nearly 520 million years ago, in the fossil-rich region of Chengjiang Shales of Southwest.
By using an electron microscope, scientists were able to image the brains of the ancient species, analyzing the fossilized tissue that appeared as flattened carbon films. Some of them were laminated with a thin layer of iron pyrite crystals, and their structure is very similar to modern day crustaceans.
Nicholas Strausfeld and his colleagues recreated the process of fossilization on their lab, showing how the brain of the ancient creature was successfully preserved. In order for this process to be completed, the brains must have been buried real quick.
Researchers believe that this happened due to covering sandworms and cockroaches in mud, being the brains buried underwater in a mudslide. As long as the brain remained deep underwater, the neural tissue was safe from any predators and bacteria -the lack of oxygen in the water was an important factor.
But, how these tissues were able to resist the pressure of being underwater, with all that weight? Researchers found the answer in lab experiments, that showed that arthropods brains are highly dense, providing them the ability to sustain under these conditions.
