By blasting fossilised limbs of the creatures with high energy X-rays at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in France, researchers have been able to see tiny developmental markers, revealing that at least in the first part of their lives, the animals never left the water. Dr Sanchez told MailOnline: ‘We don’t know if the adults were able to crawl onto land as we have no adult fossil specimen at our disposal. For sure, the juveniles were only aquatic.’ The researchers suggest that the onset of ossification – the laying down of hard bone-forming minerals.

Key Takeaways:

• Scientists studying fossils from a mass grave some 360 million years ago have provided new insight into a group of strange fish-like creatures.
• Known as Acanthostega, they are believed to be a key evolutionary link in the move of backboned animals from the sea onto the land.
• The researchers say their surprise findings provide new insight into the lives of these mysterious animals, which may have waited until their adult years to leave the water.

“Scientists studying fossils from a ‘mass-grave’ some 360 million years ago have provided new insight into a group of strange fish-like creatures.”

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3778234/Mass-grave-reveals-secrets-walking-fish-360-million-year-old-fossils-provide-glimpse-animals-moved-water-land.html