西大学者发现并命名奥陶纪“奇迹塔里木轮藻” 为陆地植物起源提供关键化石证据

Core Viewpoint - The discovery of the oldest known charophyte fossil, Tarimochara miraclensis, in the Tarim and Ordos basins provides crucial evidence for the hypothesis that land plants originated from charophytes during the Ordovician period, pushing the timeline of charophyte existence back by approximately 28 million years [1][3][5]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study advances the geological record of charophyte fossils from the Late Silurian to the Late Ordovician, indicating a significant evolutionary step towards land plants [3][5]. - The fossil samples were found in marine carbonate rock layers from the early Late Ordovician (approximately 450 million years ago), showcasing key features of charophyte morphology [5][6]. - The research confirms the evolutionary relationship between land plants and charophytes through phylogenetic analysis of 62 traits across various plant groups [5][6]. Group 2: Scientific Significance - This discovery reveals critical morphological innovations, such as multicellular branching and ovule-like reproduction, that occurred before the early Late Ordovician, supporting the hypothesis of land plant origins from charophytes [6]. - The research team, led by Professor Shu Degan from Northwest University, marks a significant achievement in understanding the origins of algae and plants, following previous high-level research in the field of Cambrian animal origins [6].