A star is born: half billion-year-old fossil rewrites the origin story of starfish

Scientists have discovered several 518-million-year-old fossils that reshape the origins of the group of animals that contains starfish.

Artist's impression of Yujingia glutenotunica

New fossils from the early Cambrian period are helping researchers understand the first evolutionary steps of echinoderms, the group of animals that includes starfish and sea urchins.

The findings show that these early animals used tentacles to capture food, offering fresh evidence about the origins of a remarkable group of marine life.

The research brings together fossil evidence and detailed analysis to tell a richer story about life more than half a billion years ago.