Ancient Spiny Mollusc Fossil Sheds Light on Early Evolution

The 510-million-year-old Shishania aculeata reveals early molluscs had protective spines and lacked shells, offering new insights into their development.

Researchers discovered the Shishania aculeata fossil in Yunnan, China, dating back to the Cambrian period.
The fossil's spiny exterior and soft underside resemble a durian fruit cut in half.
Shishania's spines were made of chitin, a compound also found in modern insect exoskeletons.
The discovery helps clarify the evolutionary path from early molluscs to modern species like clams, snails, and octopuses.
The study provides rare insights into a period with few fossil records, enhancing our understanding of molluscan evolution.