The world has made an astonishing discovery – the oldest jellyfish fossil ever found, estimated to be 505 million years old. A recent study published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences unveiled the fossil of a predatory jellyfish that swam freely. This ancient creature, named Burgessomedusa phasmiformis or burgess medusa, was recovered from the Burgess Shale in the Canadian Rockies. Known for its exceptional preservation of soft-part imprints, this famous fossil-rich deposit is located in Yoho and Kootenay National Parks in southwestern Canada.
Remarkably, the jellyfish fossil was exceptionally well-preserved, believed to have been composed of 95% water. Accompanied by field images, the fossil provides tangible evidence of the existence of Burgessomedusa phasmiformis. These jellyfish were named after their resemblance to the mythical Medusa, belonging to the medusozoan animal group. With their distinctive saucer or bell-shaped bodies, they are related to modern-day box jellyfish, hydroids, and stalked jellyfish.
The groundbreaking nature of this fossil discovery lies in its revelation of the complexity and sophistication of these ancient jellyfish. Previously, tracking down jellyfish in the Cambrian fossil record had proved challenging. Joe Moysiuk, a PhD candidate in ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Toronto, shared his insights on this matter. These jellyfish, he noted, are thought to be among the earliest animal groups to have evolved, yet their presence in the fossil record is elusive.
Dr. Jean-Bernard Caron, co-author of the study, highlighted the predatory prowess of Burgessomedusa. These jellyfish were highly efficient swimming predators and added complexity to the Cambrian food webs. Just like their contemporary, Anomalocaris, the Burgessomedusa jellyfish played a crucial role in the evolution of life on Earth.
The Burgessomedusa phasmiformis fossils can now be viewed in the Willner Madge Gallery at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada. This remarkable find sheds new light on the ancient history of jellyfish, reminding us of the incredible diversity and complexity of life on our planet.
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