Scientists Crack the Code of the ‘Question Mark’ Fossil Mystery
A team of researchers has finally solved the ancient ‘question mark’ mystery hidden in 480-million-year-old fossils. The fossil record, which has long puzzled paleontologists, contains strange markings in the shape of question marks. For decades, experts debated their origin. Now, new evidence confirms these marks were made by ancient worms—specifically, spionid polychaete worms—that bored into marine shells.
Worms: The Ultimate Survivors
These worms are true survivors. They managed to endure multiple mass extinction events, including the catastrophic events that wiped out the dinosaurs. Even more impressive, scientists found that a parasite which still infects oysters today first appeared hundreds of millions of years ago. Talk about holding a grudge! Who knew the world’s oldest freeloaders have been crashing the shellfish party since before T-Rex even existed?
This discovery not only solves a paleontological puzzle but also highlights the incredible resilience of some of Earth’s tiniest creatures. If you think your Monday is tough, imagine surviving an asteroid impact and still finding time to annoy oysters for half a billion years.
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