First ancestor of Humans and Animals

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In summary, evidence of a worm-like creature, believed to be the oldest ancestor of humans and most animals, has been found in South Australia. The creature lived 555 million years ago and was uncovered during the Ediacaran period. While most animals are bilateral, there are also non-bilateral species that are considered more "primitive."
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Tom.G
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https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/23/world/animal-ancestor-ikaria-scn/index.html

Evidence of a worm-like creature about the size of a grain of rice has been uncovered in South Australia, and researchers believe it is the oldest ancestor on the family tree that includes humans and most animals.
The creature lived 555 million years ago.

Here is a link to the original article, but it's behind a pay wall.
https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/03/17/2001045117

Cheers,
Tom
 
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Damn. I always thought the guy down the street was a bit of a worm, but you're tell me we all are? :oldlaugh:
 
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It was kind of expected that there would be bilaterialn during the Edicaran. Nice that they found one.
There are bilateral animals that don't fit the criteria they are using for bilateria (animals with two openings and a through-gut). Flatworms are bilateral, but have a gut with only a single opening, not a flow through gut.

Although most animals are bilateral, there are of course a lot of animals that are not bilateral, sponges, cnideria (jellyfish, corals, anemones) as well as a bunch of rather obscure "minor" phyla.
These are usually considered more "primitive", from which the bilateral animals would probably have been derived.

Yes @phinds, we are all worms in a cladistic sense.
 
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What is the first ancestor of humans and animals?

The first ancestor of humans and animals is believed to be a single-celled organism that existed over 3.5 billion years ago. This organism is known as the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) and is thought to be the common ancestor of all living organisms on Earth.

How do scientists determine the first ancestor of humans and animals?

Scientists use a variety of methods to determine the first ancestor of humans and animals. These methods include studying DNA and genetic similarities, analyzing fossil records, and using computer simulations to trace the evolutionary history of different species.

Was the first ancestor of humans and animals a plant or animal?

The first ancestor of humans and animals was neither a plant nor an animal. It is believed that the first ancestor was a single-celled organism that eventually evolved into more complex organisms, including plants and animals.

Did humans evolve from apes?

No, humans did not evolve from apes. Humans and apes share a common ancestor, but humans evolved separately from apes through a process known as divergent evolution. This means that humans and apes have a common ancestor, but have evolved into different species over time.

Is there a single ancestor of all humans and animals?

Yes, the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) is believed to be the single ancestor of all living organisms on Earth, including humans and animals. However, as species evolve and diverge, it is possible that there were multiple ancestors for different groups of organisms.

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