Scientists Discover Fossil Evidence of Brittle Stars' Ancient Cloning Abilities

A newly discovered fossil from Germany has provided valuable insights into the reproductive strategy of brittle stars, shedding light on a process that dates back more than 150 million years.

The fossil, as described in a paper published in The Proceedings of the Royal Society B, showcases a remarkable phenomenon. It captures the moment when a brittle star was petrified while regenerating three of its six limbs, providing the first-ever fossil evidence of clonal fragmentation.

An Ancient Reproductive Strategy

The significance of this discovery lies in its revelation that clonal fragmentation, the practice of reproducing by splitting and regenerating, is far older than previously believed. This process, which involves brittle stars splitting themselves in half when mates are scarce, has been observed in almost 50 species of existing brittle stars and their starfish relatives.

Ben Thuy, a paleontologist at the National Museum of Natural History in Luxembourg and an author of the study, emphasized that the fossil demonstrates that clonal fragmentation has been part of these creatures' reproductive strategy for over 150 million years. This challenges previous assumptions and provides a fascinating glimpse into the ancient practices of these leggy echinoderms.

As our understanding of ancient marine life continues to evolve, the discovery of this fossil opens up new avenues for exploring the reproductive strategies and evolutionary history of these fascinating sea creatures.