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550-Million-Year-Old Fossil Reveals Ancient Animal–Microbe Alliance

550-Million-Year-Old Fossil Reveals Ancient Animal–Microbe Alliance

Researchers report that sulfur‑oxidizing bacteria may have enabled the early conotubus organism to thrive in a hostile environment about 550 million years ago. The finding provides evidence of ancient symbioses that helped shape early ecosystems.

Original headline

Ancient fossil from China reveals animal-microbe partnerships dating back 550 million years