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Researchers: Ediacaran to Cambrian transition took “less than 410,000 years”

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Uranium-lead dating shows that the Cambrian explosion is younger than previously thought

Ediacara life form Pteridinium simplex/Senckenberg, Linnemann

It’s amazing how clear a picture of the history of life  these days:

Using uranium-lead dating, Senckenberg scientists, in cooperation with an international team, were able to date the onset of the “Cambrian explosion” to precisely 538.8 million years ago. During the “Cambrian explosion,” all currently known “blueprints” in the animal kingdom appeared within a few million years, while at the same time the so-called “Ediacara biota” – a group of unique, specialized life forms – became extinct. The study was recently published in the scientific journal Terra Nova.

The ancestors of today’s snails, insects, worms, bivalves, crustaceans, sea stars, vertebrates, and ultimately even humans – they all began with the “Cambrian explosion,” which served as the starting point of modern life on earth.

Moreover, the scientists’ data series reveal that the development of the fauna took place within a very short period. The transition from the “Ediacara biota” – multi-celled but very simply organisms – to the diverse Cambrian life forms occurred over less than 410,000 years. “From a geological point of view, this represents a veritable sprint,” according to the research team. Based on the current study, this rapid faunal change may be best explained as a kind of “biological arms race”: New fundamental traits accelerated the subsequent evolution and fueled the next “adaptive breakthrough.” “For example, if an organisms became increasingly mobile and fed on prey, previously even less mobile animals had to come up with new ways to protect themselves – which may have led to the rapid development of shells or skeletons. One achievement thus engendered the next – and, by necessity, within a shortened period of time,” says Linnemann in summary.
Uranium-lead dating shows that the Cambrian explosion is younger than previously thought” at Phys.org

Even if these researchers are a teensy bit optimistic about their pinpoint accuracy, the pattern is clear: The history of life is becoming a field markedly less favorable to hand-waving. And note, in 410,000 years, the transition from the multicellular but simple Ediacaran life forms to the diverse Cambrian life forms is supposed to have taken place purely by natural selection acting on random mutation (Darwinism). Aw, come on.

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See also: Bringing the Cambrian mysteries to life

and

Gunter Bechly: Dickinsonia is NOT likely an animal

Comments
PavelU, I appreciate your friendly advice. But since you understand the paper cited in the OP, can you tell me the answer to my question @6? Or at least quote the text that explains it? Thanks.PeterA
December 25, 2018
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We don’t need your misleading advice. Take your ignorant comments somewhere else. Get a life.jawa
December 25, 2018
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There was more than sufficient time for all that to occur naturally. You ID guys should take a biology 101 course so that you can understand evolution and can read the latest research papers. This is a friendly advice.PavelU
December 25, 2018
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PeterA, Very easy: By calling customer service to ask for technical support on how to upgrade the system. No rocket science required. :)jawa
December 25, 2018
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“animals had to come up with new ways to protect themselves” Huh? “had to come up with new ways” ? How?PeterA
December 25, 2018
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I second jawa, #4.doubter
December 24, 2018
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Oh no! See @3. That nonsense again? Can the moderators or admin of this website keep this oblivious guy from posting such nonsense so easily here? Why are we so tolerant of people like this? What’s the benefit of letting them post their silly ideas?jawa
December 22, 2018
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“the transition from the multicellular but simple Ediacaran life forms to the diverse Cambrian life forms is supposed to have taken place purely by natural selection acting on random mutation (Darwinism).” Well, it’s not only “supposed” but it’s certainly how it happened. There’s no other possible way, at least from a purely scientific perspective. The ID stuff is just wishful thinking. That’s all. There’s plenty of serious research literature to attest for it. I have cited several papers that strongly support the Darwinian evolutionary concept.PavelU
December 22, 2018
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RCCF framework 1657 years max is under 410k so check.Pearlman
December 21, 2018
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Poor old Stephen Jay Gould.ScuzzaMan
December 21, 2018
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