Eggs predate animals by a billion years, study reveals
Research on the prehistoric organism Chromosphaera perkinsii, published in "Nature," suggests that eggs appeared on Earth over a billion years ago, long before the evolution of the first animals.
Scientists from the University of Geneva discovered that the unicellular organism Chromosphaera perkinsii, found in Hawaii, formed multicellular structures resembling animal embryos.
This organism appeared on Earth at least a billion years ago and during cell division, produced forms resembling eggs, reports "Independent."
Lead author Omaya Dudin noted that despite Chromosphaera perkinsii being a single-celled organism, its behavior indicates that coordinated processes and multicellular differentiation existed well before the emergence of the first animals on Earth, as reported by "Independent."
Scientists observed that after reaching its maximum size, C. perkinsii divided without further growth, forming multicellular colonies resembling the early embryonic stages of animals. These colonies, consisting of different types of cells, persisted for about one-third of the organism's life cycle.
The discovery suggests that the genetic tools needed to "create eggs" existed long before nature "invented chickens." "It's fascinating that a species discovered so recently allows us to go back in time by over a billion years," added the study co-author, Marine Olivetta.
Scientists hope that further research on Chromosphaera perkinsii will help better understand the mechanisms behind the transition from unicellular organisms to multicellular forms.
