324-million-year-old fossil reveals how insects conquered land
A 324-million-year-old fossil of a new insect species, Chosha praecursor, reveals that insects transitioned from water to land gradually. The findings suggest early insects lived an amphibious lifestyle before becoming fully terrestrial.
Why it matters
This discovery fills a significant gap in evolutionary biology, explaining how insects successfully colonized land and became the most diverse animal group on Earth.
The rise of complex ecosystems on land was one of the major turning points in the history of life. As organisms expanded beyond the oceans, terrestrial environments became home to increasingly diverse communities. Insects, which today make up the most species-rich animal group on Earth, eventually became central to these ecosystems. Yet important parts of their early transition from water to land have remained unclear.
The article is a straightforward report on paleontological research published in a peer-reviewed journal.
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