Ancient Plant Fossil Reshapes Understanding of Leaf Evolution
A 3D model of a 407-million-year-old plant fossil has revolutionized scientists’ understanding of leaf evolution and the patterns observed in plants. The study, led by the University of Edinburgh, challenges previous beliefs about the beginnings of the famous Fibonacci spiral found in nature.
For centuries, scientists have been perplexed by the prevalence of Fibonacci spirals in plants. Named after Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci, the sequence forms the basis of many of nature’s most efficient and stunning patterns. Over 90% of spirals in plants are Fibonacci spirals, found in sunflower heads, pinecones, pineapples, and succulent houseplants.
It was long assumed that Fibonacci spirals were an ancient feature that evolved in the earliest land plants. However, the recent discovery of non-Fibonacci spirals in a 407-million-year-old plant fossil called Asteroxylon mackiei overturns this theory.
Using digital reconstruction techniques, the researchers produced the first 3D models of leafy shoots in Asteroxylon mackiei. The fossil was found in the Rhynie chert, a famous fossil site in Scotland. The findings revealed that the ancient plant had a different type of spiral arrangement that is rare in plants today.
This discovery challenges the belief that Fibonacci spirals were prevalent in the earliest terrestrial plants. Instead, it suggests that the evolution of leaf spirals took two separate paths. The ancient clubmosses, to which Asteroxylon mackiei belongs, had a distinct evolutionary history from other major plant groups such as ferns, conifers, and flowering plants.
Dr. Sandy Hetherington, the project’s lead and an evolutionary paleobiologist at the University of Edinburgh, expressed excitement about the 3D model of Asteroxylon mackiei. Hetherington remarked on the incredible technology that enables the 3D printing of a 407-million-year-old plant fossil. The findings from the study provide a new perspective on the evolution of Fibonacci spirals in plants.
The study, which involved researchers from the University of Edinburgh, University College Cork, University Münster, and Northern Rogue Studios, was funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), The Royal Society, and the German Research Foundation.
This groundbreaking research expands our knowledge of leaf evolution and sheds light on the origins of Fibonacci spirals in plants. By studying ancient fossils, scientists can gain valuable insights into the evolutionary history of the Earth’s flora and the intricate patterns that make up the natural world.