A significant fossil discovery in Nilpena Ediacara National Park, South Australia, has shed light on the evolution of complex animal life, dating back approximately 555 million years.

The fossils from this site reveal a crucial moment in evolutionary history when single-celled organisms transitioned to complex, multicellular animals.

This ancient creature is about the size of a human palm and features a distinctive question-mark shape that separates its left and right sides.

Researchers liken Quaestio's behavior to that of a small marine Roomba, moving across the seafloor while feeding on nutrients.

The name Quaestio simpsonorum honors Mary Lou Simpson, founder of the Flinders Ranges Ediacara Foundation, who has significantly contributed to this research.

Quaestio simpsonorum likely foraged on the seafloor, consuming microscopic algae and bacteria, as evidenced by fossils found in the park.

The fossilized impressions and trace fossils of Quaestio provide insight into early animal life and confirm its motility.

Nilpena Ediacara National Park, which opened to the public in early 2023, aims to achieve UNESCO World Heritage Site status due to its rich fossil beds.

Among the findings is Quaestio simpsonorum, the first known animal to exhibit clear left-right asymmetry, indicating advanced evolutionary development.

Their findings were published in the journal 'Evolution & Development', contributing to our understanding of the genetic mechanisms that led to the evolution of complex life forms.

Studying these ancient fossils is crucial for understanding the processes that influenced the evolution and extinction of early animal life.

The research team comprised scientists from various institutions, including Florida State University and Harvard University, and was led by Scott Evans.