Scientists Find Super-Rare Soft Tissue Fossil From 450-Million-Year-Old Sea Creature 07.07.2026

Scientists have discovered a remarkably rare fossil of the crinoid *Dendrocrinus simcoensis* that preserves soft tissues, dating back approximately 450 million years. Found in a local museum in Montreal, Quebec, this specimen represents only the second-ever discovery of its kind, surpassing the age of the previous known example. Lead researcher Lena Cole from the University of Oklahoma noted that such preservation is a "one-in-a-million" event, likely caused by the creature being rapidly buried in fine mud, which blocked oxygen and allowed minerals to coat the tissues. This discovery, published in Royal Society Open Science, provides critical insights into Paleozoic marine ecosystems. By studying the preserved tube feet, researchers can compare extinct behaviors with modern relatives, offering a unique glimpse into how evolutionary patterns and ecological interactions have shifted throughout Earth's history.













