New Species of Ancient Jellyfish Discovered in 505-Million-Year-Old Fossils

In a remarkable discovery that rewinds the tape of time, rare 505-million-year-old fossil remains have led to the discovery of a new species of ancient jellyfish. The researchers at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) have taken the lead in examining these ancient remains.

Over 170 jellyfish fossils from the Burgess Shale location called Raymond Quarry at Canadian Rockies in British Columbia were unearthed by ROM researchers in the 1990s. After examining them, they realized the fossils represented a new species, the New York Times reported.

Discovering Preserved Ancient Jellyfish

Interesting Engineering reported that this groundbreaking discovery in Canada revealed a new species of the world's oldest swimming jellyfish, dating back over 500 million years.

The Burgess Shale has gained fame for being a fossil-rich site in the Canadian Rockies, exceptionally preserving the fossils' quality and providing a rare glimpse into ancient creatures that still retain their eyes, stomachs, and even preserved last meals.

Among the researchers excited about this extraordinary find is Joe Moysiuk from the University of Toronto in Canada. Initially, it was named the ancient species "Burgessomedusa phasmiformis," which means Burgess Shale jellyfish. It has a ghostly form reminiscent of the ghost characters from the popular video game Pac-Man.

Finding in Good Condition

Science reported that unearthing fossil remains of fragile jellyfish, composed of nearly 95 percent water, is an exceptionally rare occurrence, especially considering their age spans millions of years.

However, luck smiled upon the scientific community as the Burgessomedusa fossils were found in remarkably pristine condition at the Burgess Shale site. This incredible discovery offers a unique window into the distant past and sheds light on the delicate world of prehistoric jellyfish.

Examining the Fossils

Scientists have identified the species as belonging to the esteemed clade of medusozoans. New Scientist reported that this clade is renowned for encompassing fascinating creatures like cnidarians, which possess a medusa body form resembling an umbrella, enabling them to move freely in aquatic environments.

Among the modern members of this lineage are box jellies, hydroids, stalked jellyfish, and true jellyfish. This discovery offers crucial insights into these mesmerizing marine organisms' ancient history and diversification, providing a clearer picture of their evolutionary journey through time.

The discovery of this unique characteristic in a Burgessomedusa fossil provides evidence of the early evolution of large swimming jellyfish with distinct saucer or bell-shaped bodies and 90 fingerlike tentacles, dating back over 500 million years.

This finding suggests that even in the ancient seas, these creatures were capable of free and agile swimming, aided by their tentacles, which facilitated the capture of substantial prey.

"Although jellyfish and their relatives are thought to be one of the earliest animal groups to have evolved, they have been remarkably hard to pin down in the Cambrian fossil record. This discovery leaves no doubt they were swimming about at that time," Moysiuk noted.