Rare Jurassic Fossil Lampreys Uncovered in Northern China Rewrite Evolutionary History
Researchers from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with others, recently made a groundbreaking discovery in northern China. Two exceptionally rare fossil lampreys from the Jurassic period were found in the famous Lagerstätte Yanliao Biota. The findings have led to a revision of our understanding of lamprey evolution and were published in the journal Nature Communications.
The “Yanliaomyzon occisor” lamprey, which measures 642 mm long (about 25 inches), is the largest fossil lamprey ever discovered and is part of the two precious specimens that were unearthed. The fossils are believed to be approximately 158-163 million years old and have perfectly preserved the lampreys’ keratinous teeth, providing researchers with invaluable insights into their evolutionary history.
The fossils’ feeding apparatus intrigued scientists as it strikingly resembles that of the living pouched lamprey “Geotria australis,” a flesh-feeding species. This led the researchers to conclude that these Jurassic lampreys were flesh eaters, contrary to the previous belief that their ancestors fed on blood. The study identified the Jurassic period as a pivotal time in the evolutionary history of lampreys when they transitioned to become flesh eaters and adapted to a carnivorous diet.
Additionally, the discovery of the Jurassic lamprey fossils has shed light on the biogeography of lampreys. Through sophisticated dating techniques, researchers estimate that modern lampreys originated in the Southern Hemisphere during the Late Cretaceous, which contradicts the previous assumption that lampreys originated in the Northern Hemisphere.
The researchers’ study marks a significant milestone in the understanding of lamprey evolution and opens the door for further research to fill the gaps in the long evolutionary history of these intriguing creatures.
The research paper detailing the findings is titled “The rise of predation in Jurassic lampreys” and was authored by Feixiang Wu, Philippe Janvier, and Chi Zhang.
This discovery marks a crucial moment in paleontological research, and it will undoubtedly lead to a new era of study and understanding of lamprey evolution.