555-Million-Year-Old "Underwater Vacuum Cleaner" Fossil Discovered in Australian Desert

An extraordinary fossil discovery in a remote area of Australia has shed new light on the evolution of complex life on Earth.

Researchers recently uncovered fossils of an ancient creature, Quaestio simpsonorum, which lived over 500 million years ago and resembles an underwater robotic vacuum cleaner.

Dating back to the Ediacaran Period (635–538 million years ago), this well-preserved fossil has features that show bilateral symmetry—a fundamental trait shared by most modern organisms. Researchers believe Quaestio simpsonorum roamed the seafloor, consuming algae and bacteria, as evidenced by traces left near the fossil remains.

The discovery of these movement tracks suggests that Quaestio simpsonorum was among the earliest creatures capable of independent movement. What's particularly fascinating is its unique body shape: the creature's back has a curve resembling an upside-down question mark, setting it apart from other organisms of the time.

Scott Evans, a geology professor at the University of Florida, explained that the combination of bilateral symmetry and asymmetrical features, like the question mark shape on its back, hints at a level of genetic complexity. These traits provided a foundation for the evolution of numerous modern species, including humans.

Studying fossils like Quaestio simpsonorum offers invaluable insights into how animal life evolved on Earth. As Professor Mary Droser of the University of California noted, understanding these evolutionary pathways is crucial—not only for exploring our planet's biological history but also for informing the search for life beyond Earth: "We're the only planet that we know of with life, so as we look to find life on other planets, we can go back in time on Earth to see how life evolved on this planet. Studying the history of life through fossils tells us how animals evolve and what processes cause their extinction, be it climate change or low oxygen" noted Mary Droser.

Fossils allow scientists to see how animals adapted and went extinct, whether due to climate changes or oxygen shortages, which could offer clues about the resilience of life on other planets.