A recent study published in Nature presents further evidence that brains can indeed fossilize, according to Phys.org. The research examines seven recently discovered fossils, all from the same species, and analyzes what looks to be fossilized remains of their brains.
The species in question is Fuxianhuia protensa, an extinct shrimp-like arthropod that existed in oceans approximately 520 million years ago. The brains were preserved as flattened carbon films and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, according to Business Standard. The research indicates that pressure from the mud above the brains likely squeezed water out of the tissues and helped created the fossilized brains.
"Dewatering is different from dehydration, and it happens more gradually," said Nicholas Strausfeld, co-author of the study. "During this process, the brain maintains its overall integrity leading to its gradual flattening and preservation. F. protensa's tissue density appears to have made all the difference."
Back in 2012, Strausfeld and his colleagues described the fossilized remains of the F. protensa brain, although it was met with skepticism from those in the paleontology community, where it is commonly believed that brains cannot fossilize, according to The Guardian. However, these recent findings further support his theories on how arthropod brains can become fossilized.
"It was questioned by many paleontologists, who thought - and in fact some claimed in print - that maybe it was just an artifact or a one-off, implausible fossilization event," said Strausfeld.
