Saturday, May 10 2025 | Time 17:02 Hrs(IST)
WorldPosted at: May 10 2025 1:36PM


Chinese-Australian researchers discover fossils of 400 million year old fish

Beijing/Canberra, May 10 (UNI) A team of Chinese and Australian researchers has for the first time discovered fossils of Palaeospondylus, a small, eel-like fish that lived millions of years ago.
The fossils were found in an area located outside Scotland, according to the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dating the fossils to approximately 400 million years ago, the research team has pushed the chronological record of this species back by about 10 million years.
Using CT scanning and 3D reconstruction, the team fully restored the neurocranial structures of Palaeospondylus, providing critical evidence for unraveling its evolutionary position. Palaeospondylus was a small, enigmatic early vertebrate.
The study, published as a cover article in the academic journal National Science Review, was highlighted in an accompanying commentary. "They make progress with interpreting its anatomy, and are able to disprove some previous hypotheses about its relationships," and the interpretation "represents a huge improvement on our previous understanding," the commentary noted.
First documented in 1890, this tiny, eel-like fish measuring just a few centimeters, has long baffled scientists. Over 1,000 specimens from Scotland revealed skeletal features starkly different from other fish.
For over a century, researchers variously classified it into nearly every major fish group, from jawless hagfish to lobe-finned fish larvae, and yet its phylogenetic position remained unresolved, earning it the title of "one of the most mysterious early vertebrates."

The newly discovered fossils, named Palaeospondylus australis, were found in Cravens Peak Beds, Georgina Basin, western Queensland, Australia, within Early Devonian Emsian epoch strata, believed to be roughly 400 million years old. These fossils coexisted with jawless fish, armored placoderms, early sharks, spiny fish and diverse bony fish.
Scientists revealed three-dimensionally preserved brain structures and mineralized tissues via these fragmentary fossils.
High-resolution CT scans and 3D techniques allowed the team to reconstruct the complete brain cavity, including semicircular canals and nerve canals, which are key morphological evidence for determining its evolutionary lineage, said Lu Jing, leader of the research team.
Phylogenetic analysis based on this data suggests Palaeospondylus likely belongs to the cartilaginous fish lineage rather than the tetrapod stem group as previously hypothesized, said Lu with the IVPP.
Also, the team developed a novel cross-platform volumetric data reconstruction method, enabling efficient restoration and cross-verification. This technique significantly enhances the processing and visualisation of paleontological CT data, paving the way for more in-depth morphological analyses and shared validation workflows, and is expected to play a transformative role in future research, Lu said.
UNI/XINHUA ANV RN
Tags: #Chinese-Australian researchers discover fossils of 400 million year old fish
More News
US asks its diplomatic personnel in Islamabad to restrict movement amid tensions with India

US asks its diplomatic personnel in Islamabad to restrict movement amid tensions with India

10 May 2025 | 4:10 PM

Islamabad/Washington, May 10 (UNI) Amid the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions, the US State Department has warned its diplomatic personnel in Islamabad to restrict their movements.

see more..

China, US hold trade talks in Geneva - Reports

10 May 2025 | 3:49 PM

Beijing, May 10 (UNI) China and the United States held high-level negotiations on the economy and trade in the Swiss city of Geneva on Saturday, state-run China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

see more..

Russia backs UN reforms to improve operational efficiency

10 May 2025 | 3:24 PM

Moscow, May 10 (UNI) Russia supports "thoughtful rethinking" of the United Nations' role and improvement of the effectiveness of its operations, Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said in an interview with Sputnik.

see more..

Hungary gears up to battle EU's plans to phase out Russian energy

10 May 2025 | 3:23 PM

Budapest, May 10 (UN) The EU executive is considering bypassing Hungary in the vote on its plan to phase out Russian energy imports by relying on a "qualified majority," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday.

see more..
Ex-Air Marshal admits Pakistan 'in a difficult situation' amid escalation with India

Ex-Air Marshal admits Pakistan 'in a difficult situation' amid escalation with India

10 May 2025 | 3:08 PM

Islamabad, May 10 (UNI) Pakistan is in a "difficult situation" and "rattled" by the recent developments, with the Indian Armed Forces carrying out calibrated and swift precision strikes on select military installations across Pakistan, a former Pakistani Air Marshal has admitted.

see more..