11.25.18
Researchers say they have identified the oldest animal of all time and credit cholesterol, in part, for confirming the finding. Seventy-five years ago, Australian researchers in Russia discovered the creature, called Dickinsonia. After years of analysis, scientists said that molecules discovered on the fossil confirmed that that it lived 558 million years ago, making it the earliest known member of the animal kingdom.
The findings place its existence 20 million years before the Cambrian Explosion event, when major animals began appearing on the fossil record.
"The fossil fat molecules that we've found prove that animals were large and abundant 558 million years ago, millions of years earlier than previously thought," Jochen Brocks told CNN. Brocks is from the Australian National University, which led the research. The fossil was so well preserved that scientists found cholesterol, which they noted is a hallmark of animal life.
The findings place its existence 20 million years before the Cambrian Explosion event, when major animals began appearing on the fossil record.
"The fossil fat molecules that we've found prove that animals were large and abundant 558 million years ago, millions of years earlier than previously thought," Jochen Brocks told CNN. Brocks is from the Australian National University, which led the research. The fossil was so well preserved that scientists found cholesterol, which they noted is a hallmark of animal life.