Friday, 31 Oct 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • 🔥
  • Trump
  • VIDEO
  • House
  • White
  • ScienceAlert
  • Trumps
  • Watch
  • man
  • Health
  • Season
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > Tech and Science > Bone-Eating Worms Have Lurked in The Ocean For 100 Million Years : ScienceAlert
Tech and Science

Bone-Eating Worms Have Lurked in The Ocean For 100 Million Years : ScienceAlert

Last updated: July 26, 2025 2:50 pm
Share
Bone-Eating Worms Have Lurked in The Ocean For 100 Million Years : ScienceAlert
SHARE

Uncovering the Evolution of Bone-Eating Worms

A fascinating new study has shed light on the ancient ancestors of bone-eating worms, revealing a lineage that stretches back over 100 million years. These remarkable creatures, known as Osedax, have a unique diet that includes feasting on the bones of marine animals.

Researchers from University College London (UCL) and the Natural History Museum in the UK have delved into the fossil record to identify seven new types of worm from the Cretaceous period. These worms, although they didn’t have whales to feed on back then, left behind traces of their bone-eating behavior in fossils of mosasaurs, ichthyosaurs, and plesiosaurs – the dominant marine reptiles of that era.

The team utilized advanced imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, to create 3D models of 130 fossils without causing any damage. Through this process, they discovered six fossils with distinctive burrow patterns, leading to the identification of seven new ichnospecies.

Fossil samples
Some of the fossils included in the study. (Jamison-Todd et al., PLOS ONE, 2025)

By analyzing microscopic fragments around the fossils, the researchers were able to date these bone-eating worms to at least 100 million years ago, indicating a much earlier evolution than previously believed. This study highlights the remarkable stability in the evolutionary traits of these organisms over millions of years.

Further research into the genetics of modern bone-eating worms living in today’s oceans could provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history of these fascinating creatures. By studying both ancient fossils and contemporary species, scientists hope to unravel more mysteries surrounding the evolution and impact of bone-eating worms on marine ecosystems.

See also  Where you store fat may influence the effect it has on your brain

Bore patterns
The team studied the boring patterns left in the fossils. Some of the fossils included in the study. (Jamison-Todd et al., PLOS ONE, 2025)

This groundbreaking research, published in PLOS ONE, opens up new avenues for exploring the ancient origins and evolutionary history of bone-eating worms. As scientists continue to delve into the depths of the ocean and the fossil record, we can expect more exciting discoveries that shed light on the mysteries of our planet’s past.

TAGGED:BoneEatingLurkedMillionOceanScienceAlertWormsYears
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article What Is “the Ick“? The Truth About Instant Disgust in Dating What Is “the Ick“? The Truth About Instant Disgust in Dating
Next Article Wolfe Research Initiates Coverage on Harmonic Inc. (HLIT) with ‘Underperform’ Rating Wolfe Research Initiates Coverage on Harmonic Inc. (HLIT) with ‘Underperform’ Rating
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

The time has come for New Yorkers to trust the subway again

The safety of the New York City subway system has been a topic of concern…

May 17, 2025

Naomi Campbell Flaunts Bikini Body During Beach Day in Ibiza

Naomi Campbell Shuts Down Ibiza in Tiny Bikini Published on August 3, 2025 at 8:34…

August 3, 2025

Authorizing Junction Pipeline Company, LLC to Construct, Connect, Operate, and Maintain Pipeline Facilities at Toole County, Montana, at the International Boundary Between the United States and Canada – The White House

In a move that might make energy enthusiasts and environmentalists alike raise an eyebrow, the…

June 30, 2025

The Best Red Carpet Shoe? You Won’t Even Notice It

In the glitzy world of Hollywood red carpets, celebrities face immense pressure to showcase something…

September 30, 2025

Netflix Is a Joke Showcase Announces Lineup

Netflix Is a Joke Festival is back with its annual showcase of emerging comedians. The…

April 18, 2025

You Might Also Like

The Interplanetary Race to Study Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS
Tech and Science

The Interplanetary Race to Study Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

October 31, 2025
SOC teams face 51-second breach reality—Manual response times are officially dead
Tech and Science

SOC teams face 51-second breach reality—Manual response times are officially dead

October 31, 2025
The New Scientist Book Club’s verdict on Our Brains, Our Selves: A mix of praise and misgivings
Tech and Science

The New Scientist Book Club’s verdict on Our Brains, Our Selves: A mix of praise and misgivings

October 31, 2025
Tech Advisor December 2025 Digital Magazine
Tech and Science

Tech Advisor December 2025 Digital Magazine

October 31, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?