The discovery of the fossil is significant because it pushes back the known origins of tunicates by about 30 million years, which in turn could push back the origins of vertebrates, including humans. Tunicates are important because they are believed to be the closest living relatives of vertebrates, and they share many of the same genetic traits and developmental pathways.
The Burgess Shale formation is one of the most important fossil sites in the world, and it has yielded many important discoveries over the years, including the first known examples of many extinct species. The formation was formed during the Cambrian period, which was a time of rapid evolution and diversification of life on Earth.
The fossil of the half-billion-year-old sea squirt was discovered by a team of researchers from the University of Toronto, who were studying the Burgess Shale formation. They were able to identify the fossil as a tunicate based on its distinctive anatomy, which includes a sac-like body and two siphons that are used for feeding and breathing.
The researchers also used advanced imaging techniques to study the fossil in detail, including CT scans and 3D reconstructions. This allowed them to get a better understanding of the internal anatomy of the sea squirt, and how it would have functioned when it was alive.
One of the most interesting findings from the study is that the half-billion-year-old sea squirt had a complex digestive system, which suggests that it may have been an active filter feeder. This is significant because it is believed that the development of filter feeding was a key step in the evolution of vertebrates.
The discovery of the half-billion-year-old sea squirt is just the latest in a long line of important discoveries from the Burgess Shale formation. Over the years, the formation has yielded many important fossils that have helped scientists to better understand the origins of life on Earth, and the evolution of different species.
Overall, the discovery of the half-billion-year-old sea squirt is a significant breakthrough in our understanding of the origins of vertebrates, including humans. It suggests that tunicates may have evolved much earlier than previously thought, and that they may have played a key role in the development of vertebrates. As scientists continue to study the Burgess Shale formation, it is likely that we will uncover even more important fossils that will shed light on the history of life on Earth.