Deciphering Fossil Evidence for the Origin of Life and the Origin of Animals

Abstract

The origins of major biological groups contain a series of questions that engage all the natural sciences. Too often the different ‘origin’ case studies, such as the origins of animals and of life, are treated as separate entities, independent of one another. Viewing ‘origin’ questions as a whole helps the scientist to appreciate common challenges and then to share possible stratagems. We propose, specifically, that the palaeontologist working on Precambrian fossils should follow a series of nested questions that are outlined within, to guide what questions are valid and how to attain substantial answers to them. Two case studies are used to illustrate this approach: fossil stromatolites and the origins of life; and the Ediacara biota and the origins of animals.