Creature that lived more than 555 million years ago is the 'oldest ancestor of all living creatures'

The video discusses the discovery of a tiny worm-like creature, Caria Wariota, which lived 555 million years ago. Found in South Australia, this creature is considered the earliest relative of most animal life on Earth. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that the creature was about the size of a grain of rice and possessed bilateral symmetry, indicating it had a mouth, anus, and gut. This symmetry suggests it could be the first common ancestor to animals with a bilateral body plan, including dinosaurs, insects, and humans. The creature lived on the ocean floor during the Edyakaran period and likely had senses to navigate and find food.

What significant discovery was made from fossil impressions in South Africa?

• Evidence of the earliest relative of most animal life

• A new species of dinosaur

• A giant prehistoric bird

• The first human ancestor

How long ago did the tiny worm-like creature live?

• 65 million years ago

• 555 million years ago

• 1 billion years ago

• 200 million years ago

What is the size of the Caria Wariota?

• As small as a dust particle

• The size of a football

• About the size of a grain of rice

• As large as a human hand

What feature makes the Caria Wariota significant in evolutionary history?

• It had wings

• It possessed bilateral symmetry

• It could fly

• It was the largest creature of its time

During which period did the Caria Wariota live?

• Cretaceous

• Triassic

• Jurassic

• Ediacaran