Verification of 'Light Switch Theory' based on fossil evidences

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24540501
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Stratigraphy/Paleontology
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University (2014); Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (2013); Gunma Museum of Natural History (2012)
• Principal Investigator: TANAKA Gengo 熊本大学, 沿岸域環境科学教育研究センター, 特別研究員 (50437191)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): MAEDA Haruyoshi 九州大学, 総合研究博物館, 教授 (10181588)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: カンブリア紀 / 眼の化石 / 光スイッチ説 / 例外的に保存の良い化石 / 節足動物 / 脊椎動物 / 軟体部保存 / 機能形態

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cambrian Macroevolution was caused by intensification of evolution of eye of animals and their survival competition (Light Switch Theory = LST). Here, I was verified from fossil evidence about the LST. As a result, I found a homologous central nervous system with extant chelicerates from an apparently strange arthropoda having a pair of dumbbell-shaped compound eye in the head. Cambrian arthropods, as well as of the extant arthropods, has an eye with high resolution, it also suggested that a complex behavior was achieved by the central nervous system. This research supports the LST.

Free Research Field

層位・古生物学