Fossilized fish reveals first vertebrate sex

[slowhand]

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian scientists unveiled on Thursday the fossilized remains of the oldest vertebrate mother ever discovered, a 375-million-year-old placoderm fish with embryo and umbilical cord attached.


The fossil, found in the Gogo area of northwest Australia, is proof that an ancient species had advanced reproductive biology, comparable to modern sharks and rays, said John Long, head of sciences at the Museum of Victoria in Melbourne.

"It is not only the first time ever that a fossil embryo has been found with an umbilical cord, but it is also the oldest known example of any creature giving birth to live young," Long told Reuters.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080529/sc_nm/fish_evolution_dc;_ylt=AgBQwcMUjxgBlkEKfglUEmwPLBIF

 

[negator]

gogo
john long
nice boner
coitus extinctus
oh! devonia!

 

[gunslingingbird]

I saw this a few days ago, but I thought I'd let someone else post it.

That's interesting that fish used to give birth to live offspring back then. I wonder if that particular species remained fish, or if they went on to become land mammals in the end. :dunno: