Dickinsonia: Solved the Secret of Earth's Ancient Animal Fossil

As far as hunting for the world's oldest animal fossil is concerned, one old animal remains of interest to scientists and fossil enthusiasts alike Dickinsonia. With its odd, egg-shaped body and unknown biology, Dickinsonia could be the first peek at animal life on our planet. But just what is Dickinsonia, how large was it, and why is it such a significant player in evolutionary history?

Let's take a look at all you want to know about this ancient creature, from its size and locomotion to whether or not you can purchase a Dickinsonia fossil for sale.

What Is Dickinsonia?

Dickinsonia is an extinct genus of organisms that existed during the Ediacaran era, more than 550 million years ago—long before the Cambrian explosion. These soft-bodied, flat animals are thought by most scientists to be some of the earliest known animals, although their status has been controversial for decades.

Dickinsonia fossils have been discovered mainly in Australia, Russia, and Ukraine, as sandstone impressions. Their strange shape an oval, segmented body without a distinct head or limbs makes them both iconic and enigmatic in the fossil record.

Dickinsonia Size: How Big Did It Get?

One of the most astonishing aspects of Dickinsonia is its size range. Fossils indicate that individuals could be:

As small as a few millimeters, or Up to as big as 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) long

This would make Dickinsonia one of the largest Ediacaran organisms known. The flattened shape and segmented body probably enabled it to travel greater distances and to take up nutrients directly from the seafloor.

Is Dickinsonia the Oldest Animal Fossil?

Most paleontologists are convinced that Dickinsonia truly is the oldest animal fossil in existence. A groundbreaking study was published in 2018 where scientists discovered that Dickinsonia fossils contained cholesterol molecules—a kind of fat usually associated with animals. This biochemical confirmation is proof that it was an early animal and not a plant, fungus, or microbial mat as initially speculated.

So is Dickinsonia the oldest animal fossil?

Yes, on the basis of existing evidence, it is generally regarded as the earliest proven animal fossil.

When Did Dickinsonia Extinct?

Dickinsonia became extinct approximately 541 million years ago, possibly during or before the Cambrian explosion—a time of great diversification of life forms. As the ocean environment evolved and more advanced animals started to appear, Dickinsonia and other soft-bodied Ediacaran animals probably couldn't compete with the new species. Their extinction signaled the end of one period and the start of another.

How Did Dickinsonia Move?

Even though Dickinsonia lacked limbs, fins, or even a mouth, there are signs of motion in fossil records. Fossils are typically found in "trails," indicating that it slowly crawled across the seafloor, possibly by gliding or pulsed along its length.

The latest hypothesis is that Dickinsonia ingested nutrients directly from seafloor microbial mats, maybe even traveling around for food or improved environmental conditions.

How did Dickinsonia move?

It probably slid or glided along with its plastic body, much like how a slug travels.

Dickinsonia: Animal or Something Else?

For years, scientists weren't certain if Dickinsonia was:

A fungus

A lichen

A giant amoeba

Or even a plant

But since the news broke about the finding of animal-specific molecules in its fossils, the evidence clearly leans toward Dickinsonia being an animal—and a very likely first one. This positions Dickinsonia between a rock and a hard place: not precisely anything living nowadays, but possibly the basis for all multicellular animal life.

Dickinsonia Fossil Sale: Are They Available to Buy?

Due to its scientific relevance, genuine Dickinsonia fossils can seldom be acquired privately. All such specimens remain in the repositories of research units and museums. Nevertheless, cast fossils and reproduction fossils are on occasion available at fossil trade events or sold via the internet.

If you notice a Dickinsonia fossil available for sale, be careful and make sure it's a fake unless it comes with serious documentation and from a confirmed source. Genuine fossils are preserved in most nations and are not always allowed to be legally traded.

Oldest Land Animal Fossil: Is It Dickinsonia?

No—though Dickinsonia is the oldest animal fossil, it's not the oldest land animal. Dickinsonia lived on the ocean floor, not on land.

The record for the oldest land animal fossil currently belongs to early millipede-like arthropods, which date to around 425 million years ago in what is now Scotland. Dickinsonia, on the other hand, existed much earlier and in a fully aquatic setting.

Why Dickinsonia Matters?

Dickinsonia is not only an odd-looking fossil—it's a doorway to unlocking how we got here. One of the world's earliest complex animals, it marks a step in evolution that gave rise to all animal species that exist today, including human beings.

Scientists learn from Dickinsonia:

To track back the animal origin

Understand what life on Earth was like long ago

Bridge gaps between simple microbial life and complex living things

In brief, it's one of the most significant fossils to be discovered, not only due to its age, but due to what it reveals about evolution.

Final Thoughts

From its cryptic beginnings to its controversial biology, Dickinsonia fascinates scientists and the general public alike. Its position as the oldest known animal fossil makes it a foundation in the field of evolutionary science. Although its soft, two-dimensional form may appear unassuming at a glance, Dickinsonia is a giant stride in the history of life—a giant stride that led to all animal life since.

Whether you're a fossil hunter, a paleontology buff, or just interested in the ancient history of life, Dickinsonia is a reminder that even the most basic animals can drive the course of evolution.