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Fossils’ soft tissues helping scientists to unravel origins of early animals
Scientists unearthed the fossil of an animal known as namacalathus. The soft tissue of which had been remarkably preserved by pyrite.

'Exceptional fossils' aid in efforts to trace roots of Cambrian Explosion

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh are using newly-discovered, well-preserved fossils to trace the ancestry of some of the Earth's earliest animals.

The Cambrian event is notable as the period when practically all major modern-day animal groups started appearing in the fossil record. But, until recently, the origins of animals that evolved during the Cambrian event were mostly unknown because of a lack of well-preserved fossil evidence.

The new study – published in Science Advances – has uncovered the first known link between animals that evolved some 540 million years ago during the Cambrian Explosion and one of their early ancestors.

Edinburgh scientists unearthed the fossilised remains of miniscule animals known as namacalathus – which resemble a pin cushion attached to a short stalk –  while conducting fieldwork in Namibia.

Until now, only skeletal remains of namacalathus had been found. But, using x-ray imaging, the team found soft tissues inside the fossils which had been perfectly preserved by a metallic mineral called pyrite.

Through analysing and comparing these soft tissues to those in animals that evolved later, the team found that namacalathus was an early ancestor of species that appeared during the Cambrian Explosion, including types of prehistoric worms and molluscs.

Professor Rachel Wood, from the University of Edinburgh’s School of GeoSciences, said: “These are exceptional fossils, which give us a glimpse into the biological affinity of some of the oldest animals.

“They help us trace the roots of the Cambrian Explosion and the origin of modern animal groups. Such preservation opens up many new avenues of research into the history of life which was previously not possible.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

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RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."