Scientists predict that sponges—among the most basic animals—arose a few hundred million years before the occurrence of the oldest confirmed fossil specimens, which date to about 500 million years ago ...

1. Identify a fossil as a sponge, archeocyathid, rugose, tabulate or scleractinian coral. 2. Know the skeletal structure and material of each of these animals. 3. Know the ecological characteristics ...

The Museum has a substantial collection of fossil sponges that contains an estimated 71,000 specimens, including more than 200 type and figured specimens. The collection also contains a number of ...

These are diverse 444 million-year-old sponges from the Anji Biota of China, thriving as everything around them died. Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news ...

If the sponge broke down but the salt remained and held its shape, we would call that a permineralized fossil of the sponge. In the Kits: #4: Dinosaur bone, # 6: Petrified wood Compression - These ...

A marine park in Australia is trying out a new way to help protect sea sponges. Marine biologist Dr Chris Gillies and his ...

Scientists have created a new sponge-type material that absorbs carbon ... have the potential to bridge the gap between the use of fossil fuels and new energy sources such as hydrogen, and could ...

Dozens of different studies using everything from chromosome evolution over time to ancient fossils have boiled it down to two candidates: sponges and comb jellies. Some of the best information ...