Eel-like creature identified as 'earliest human ancestor'

Telegraph (UK) ^ | 3-5-2012 | Nick Collins

[Renfield]

A prehistoric eel-like creature discovered in a Canadian shale bed has been identified as the earliest known ancestor of man.

Fossils dating back 505 million years preserve the relics of tiny, slithering animals which are the oldest life forms ever discovered with primitive spinal cords.

As the precursor of vertebrates the species is also believed to be the direct ancestor of all members of the chordate family, which includes fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

The finding means the 5cm long creatures, known as Pikaia gracilens, were the forerunners of animals as diverse as snakes, swans and humans, scientists said....

[Renfield]

Fossils of Pikaia gracilens dating back 505 million years found in a quarry in the Burgess Shale, Yoho National park in Canada Photo: PA

[Renfield]

Cambrian ping.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Identified as an ancestor based on its resemblance to Democrats?

[spokeshave]

slithering animals which are the oldest life forms ever discovered with primitive spinal cords.

Bingo...they hit the double jackpot....

slithering animals = democrats

primative spinal cords = GOP establishment.

[The Sons of Liberty]

Interesting. There are a number in DC that are still at that stage of development.

[humblegunner]

Goa'uld?

[dps.inspect]

Sharon Fluke?

[SumProVita]

‘earliest human ancestor’

LooooooooooooooooooL.....

On second thought....earliest known Democrat ancestor?

;-o

[FrankR]

It's seems that about every five years or so, "scientists" find something that they tout as the "earliest human ancestor".

Obviously the "researchers" are interested in extending their government grants, lest they have to actually work for a living.

[freedomlover]

IBTHTPics

[JoeProBono]

[UCANSEE2]

The ‘truth’ is that we are ‘descended’ from every creature that ever was.

[null and void]

Earlier related thread:

Inglorious beginnings: Experts trace humanity's origins to ancient worm

I'm NOT complaining about a duplicate thread, just adding a cross reference...

[Mr. K]

just barely

[Renfield]

LOL! Wish I’d thought of that....maybe would have used a different headline...

[RinaseaofDs]

That we decended from this is fiction, of course.

There isn’t a single shred of evidence that indicates we evolved from anything. Nor is there evidence that any other creature jumped species and became something higher order.

But hey, science and the scientific method is for losers.

[SuzyQue]

Looks like a mobius eel.

Amazing fossils!

[Joe the Pimpernel]

“Earliest pre-vertebrate” would be a more accurate, but less sensational, headline.

[Happy Rain]

So the earliest human ancestor was a Canuck, eh?

[varmintman]

A prehistoric eel-like creature discovered in a Canadian shale bed has been identified as the earliest known ancestor of man.

MOOOOOOooooooooooooooo plop, plop, plop..........