{
  "id": 3306001,
  "title": "This “One-in-a-Million” Fossil Has 450-Million-Year-Old Soft Tissue",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/this-one-in-a-million-fossil-has-450-million-year-old-soft-tissue",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-25T16:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nautilus",
    "slug": "nautilus",
    "url": "https://nautil.us/this-one-in-a-million-fossil-has-450-million-year-old-soft-tissue-1284340/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 450-million-year-old fossil, discovered for the second time in history, has revealed the soft tissue of a crinoid, an ancient marine animal related to the starfish. Soft tissue preservation is a rare phenomenon, typically requiring extreme conditions like a refrigerator that never runs out of power or a vacuum chamber. The discovery of this fossil, belonging to the species Dendrocrinus simcoensis, is remarkable, as it provides valuable insights into the evolution of crinoid feeding strategies and habits. The fossil's tube feet, tiny fleshy stalks used for grabbing food, are preserved due to bacteria crystallizing them into pyrite, preventing decay. Unlike modern-day crinoids, these fossilized tube feet are significantly different. The fossil was found not underwater but in the Musée de paléontologie et de l’évolution in Montreal, a small nonprofit organization that ensured its preservation. The crinoid lived in Japan before it became an island, during a time when almost all tiny organisms had vanished in the early Cretaceous period.",
  "summary": "Only the second fossil of its type to be discovered The post This “One-in-a-Million” Fossil Has 450-Million-Year-Old Soft Tissue appeared first on Nautilus .",
  "key_points": [
    "450-million-year-old fossil reveals soft tissue of crinoid",
    "Dendrocrinus simcoensis species discovered twice",
    "Tube feet preserved by bacteria crystallizing into pyrite"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}