Scientists have discovered tiny burrows in desert rocks that were likely made by microbes that lived millions of years ago. The burrows, found in Namibia, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, show signs of biological growth and could be the remains of an unknown ancient lifeform.
Geologist Cees Passchier from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz discovered the fossilized tunnels while studying erosion patterns in the deserts. His team investigated further and found biological material inside the burrows.
To confirm that the structures were not created by natural processes, researchers ruled out weathering and abiotic factors. The presence of liquid water is believed to be crucial for biological growth, which explains why these ancient microbes might have thrived in the desert environment.
While the exact type of microorganisms responsible for the burrows remains unknown, scientists have considered various possibilities such as bacteria, fungi, and lichens. However, evidence suggests that it was likely a colony of microbes rather than a single organism or an unusual species like cyanobacteria.
The lack of fossilized organisms within the tunnels has raised questions about whether the mystery lifeform still exists today. Researchers believe that these ancient microbes left behind signs of their existence in the form of calcium carbonate dust and growth rings, which could be interpreted as biological signatures.
Passchier’s team concludes that further investigation is needed to determine whether these microorganisms are extinct or still living in some form. The discovery raises the possibility of uncovering new evidence about an ancient lifeform that might have been hiding in plain sight.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-discovered-tunnels-possibly-unknown-133000531.html