Scientists say they found humans' earliest-known ancestor
Scientists at the University of Cambridge and China's Northwest University believe they've found the earliest-known ancestor to humans.
According to a news release, the tiny, bag-like sea dweller has been dubbed the "Saccorhytus." It has a disproportionately large mouth.
Researchers examined fossils dating back 540 million years, and it took considerable effort.
They determined this animal falls under the biological category of deuterostome, which includes vertebrates.
Simon Conway Morris, who was part of the team, said that the fossils they studied look like tiny black grains to the naked eye.
"Under the microscope, the level of detail is jaw-dropping," he said.
The team identified a number of features, including conical passageways that likely served to expel excess water taken in while feeding. It is suggested that those are a predecessor of gills.
The scientists think the creature lived on the bed of a shallow sea and wiggled between grains of sand.
Degan Shu, another team member, said Saccorhytus has given them remarkable insights to the first stages of evolution that led to fish, and ultimately to humans.
See more photos of bizarre creatures:
