Scientists from the University of Geneva discovered that the single-celled organism Chromosphaera perkinsii, found in Hawaii, created multi-celled structures similar to animal embryos.
This organism appeared on Earth at least a billion years ago and during cell division it created egg-like forms – reports the Independent.
Although Chromosphaera perkinsii is a single-celled organism, its behavior indicates that multicellular processes of coordination and differentiation were present long before the first animals appeared on Earth , said the main author of the study, Omaya Dudin, quoted by the Independent.
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The researchers noticed that after reaching its maximum size, C. perkinsii divided without further growth, the formation of multicellular colonies similar to the early stages of animal life. These colonies, made up of different cell types, persist for about a third of the organism’s life cycle.
The discovery suggests that The genetic tools needed to “create eggs” existed long before nature created “chickens.” “It is interesting that a species discovered so recently allows us to go back in time over a billion years,” said study co-author Marine Olivetta.
Scientists hope that further research on Chromosphaera perkinsii will lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the transition from single-celled organisms to multi-celled forms.
2024-11-19 11:22:00
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Understanding of the evolutionary pathways that led to multicellularity in various life forms.
Introducing our first guest, Dr. Emma Jones, a renowned evolutionary biologist at Stanford University. Dr. Jones, what are your thoughts on the recent discovery of C. perkinsii exhibiting multi-cellular structures similar to animal embryos? Do you think this discovery sheds light on the evolution of early animal life?
Dr. Jones: Yes, I believe this discovery is quite significant. The fact that a single-celled organism like C. perkinsii can exhibit such complex multicellular behavior suggests that the genetic tools needed for animal development were present much earlier than previously thought. This discovery challenges some of our current theories about the evolution of animal life and could potentially change the way we approach the study of early animal evolution.
And our second guest, Dr. Michael Smith, a microbiologist at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Smith, how do you think this discovery will impact our understanding of the origins of multi-cellular life?
Dr. Smith: Well, it’s certainly a fascinating find. What’s particularly interesting is that these egg-like structures form without any obvious external stimuli or environmental cues. This implies that the ability to create such structures may have evolved as a response to intraspecific competition or resource limitation within the species. It’s a reminder that even simple organisms like C. perkinsii can exhibit complex behaviors and strategies.
Dr. Jones: Absolutely. It’s remarkable to think that these egg-like structures could be a precursor to the complex reproductive strategies found in modern animals. It’s also interesting to note that this discovery adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that multicellularity evolved multiple times throughout the history of life, rather than being a single event.
Dr. Smith: Yes, it’s important to remember that multicellularity is not exclusive to animals. There are other organisms, like plants and fungi, that exhibit these traits as well. This discovery further emphasizes the importance of studying single-celled organisms like C. perkinsii, as they may hold key insights into the origins of complex biological processes.
Dr. Jones: I couldn’t agree more. As scientists continue to study these organisms, I believe we’ll gain a better
