319-Million-Year-Old Fish Preserves the Earliest Fossilized Brain of a Backboned Animal

February 1, 2023

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Watch time:

5-15 mins
Fish Fossil Michigan News 02 2048x1365
Presented by Michigan News

A team of researchers led by U-M scientists has discovered the oldest example of a well-preserved vertebrate brain. The discovery opens a window into the neural anatomy and early evolution of the major group of fishes alive today and provides insights into the preservation of soft parts in fossils of back-boned animals. Matt Friedman, U-M paleontologist, senior author of the new study, and director of the Museum of Paleontology discusses the study, suggesting that more soft parts might be preserved in other fossils they have had for a long time.

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