Looking inside fossilised embryos

Although only recently discovered, the fossil record of embryonic development has already begun to challenge cherished hypotheses on the origin of major animal groups. Synchrotron-based X-ray Tomographic Microscopy has provided unparalleled insight into the anatomy and preservation of these fossil remains and this has allowed us to test competing hypotheses on their nature. With knowledge of both adults and embryos from the time of diversification of the major animals groups, it is now possible to test models of developmental evolution based on modern model organisms using information from their long-extinct ancestors.

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