XPost: alt.science, alt.biology, alt.politics

https://scitechdaily.com/early-complex-life-forms-revealed-1-63-billion-year-old-multicellular-fossils-unearthed-in-china/

Researchers have discovered the oldest multicellular eukaryotic
fossils, dated at 1.63 billion years, in North China, revealing
early complex life forms and suggesting an earlier emergence
of multicellularity.

In a study published in Science Advances on January 24, researchers
led by Prof. Maoyan Zhu from the Nanjing Institute of Geology
and Palaeontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences reported
their recent discovery of 1.63-billion-year-old multicellular
fossils from North China.

These exquisitely preserved microfossils are currently considered
the oldest record of multicellular eukaryotes. This study is
another breakthrough after the researchers’ earlier discovery
of decimeter-sized eukaryotic fossils in the Yanshan area of
North China, and pushes back the emergence of multicellularity
in eukaryotes by about 70 million years.

. . .

Not every "first" China claims is REAL dontchaknow ...

However, IF true, this kinda resets the timetable
for "complex life" on earth.

Even now you can find semi-coordinated life, usually
water-based, that is composed of a few dozen to a few
hundred cells. They are basically individuals, can
survive alone, but when they join they take on more
complex, deliberate, behaviors. Seen them in a microscope.

If this existed 1.6 BY ago, we DO have "complex life".
Coordinated, more complex, behavior from joined single=
celled organisms seems to qualify. You don't need organs
or much specialization. The paradigm is THERE ... though
we have to ask WHY it is there, WHY do self-sustaining
organisms act differently, additively, smartly, when
joined ??? Therein lie some BIG SECRETS. The roots of this
behavior had to ALREADY EXIST even 1.6 BY ago. Why ? How ?
How LONG ???

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