Fossils are found all over, but what made them was a mystery

Scientists in Brazil have identified marine worms as the creators of Bifungites, a type of trace fossil found globally, including in Brazil, the United States, Canada, India, and parts of Africa and Europe. These dumbbell-shaped fossils, dating back over 300 million years to the Paleozoic era, were previously a mystery regarding their origin. During a 2022 expedition, paleontologist Daniel Sedorko discovered imprints of small worms within Bifungites burrows, marking the first evidence of the organisms responsible for these fossils. The findings suggest that the worms belonged to the Annulitubus group, which lived in shallow ocean waters and created u-shaped burrows for protection against storms and predators. The preservation of these worm imprints is attributed to sediment deposits that quickly buried the organisms, allowing their impressions to remain intact over millions of years. Experts emphasize the rarity of such discoveries, noting that it is often more common to find new dinosaur species than to identify the producers of trace fossils. The research aims to inspire further exploration into the origins of similar fossils worldwide.

- Bifungites fossils are found globally and date back over 300 million years.

- Marine worms, specifically from the Annulitubus group, are identified as the creators of these trace fossils.

- The discovery marks the first evidence linking specific organisms to Bifungites.

- The preservation of worm imprints is due to rapid sediment burial.

- Identifying producers of trace fossils is considered a rare achievement in paleontology.