Nat Ecol Evol April 2020 PMID 32094536

A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte.

Qing Tang, Ke Pang, Xunlai Yuan, Shuhai Xiao

Mentions

74
Peak: 37 in Feb 2020
across 6 sources since Feb 2020

Extended reach

307,500
potential audience

Total likes

204

Video views

5,679

Mentions per month

Feb 2020 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter43 posts
  • Facebook20 posts
  • News7 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit1 posts
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions exhibit a general consensus appreciating the discovery’s importance, with users mentioning its role in filling gaps in the fossil record and challenging previous models. Words like 'significance,' 'early ecosystems,' and 'evolution' highlight a tone of intellectual curiosity and recognition of the fossil's scientific impact.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the significance of the discovery, emphasizing its role in understanding early marine ecosystems and evolution.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate interest, often highlighting the fossil's age and implications, but without deep technical analysis.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several posts reference related topics such as paleobotany and early macro-algae, indicating some level of thoughtful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions reflect recognition that this finding has meaningful implications for evolutionary biology and the history of life on Earth.

Abstract in brief

  • The text discusses the discovery of 1-billion-year-old macrofossils called Proterocladus antiquus, which are believed to be multicellular chlorophytes (a group of green algae) that played a key role in marine ecosystems before the rise of other phototrophic eukaryotes.
  • These findings suggest that chlorophytes developed large size, multicellularity, and cellular specialization much earlier in Earth's history than previously believed, dating back to the Mesoproterozoic era approximately 1000 million years ago.
  • The discovery fills a gap in fossil evidence from the Proterozoic period and challenges previous models that estimated the timing of chlorophyte evolution, highlighting their longstanding importance in oceanic primary productivity and ecosystem complexity.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Shuhai Xiao
@XiaoShuhai · X

When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4vrk

Feb 24, 2020 · 54 likes · 14 shares · 221 followers View post →
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
@TomHoltzPaleo · X

A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/cpS5sGfF6w

Feb 24, 2020 · 40 likes · 7 shares · 32,114 followers View post →
Hablando de Ciencia
@HdCiencia · X

Feb 27, 2020 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 48,993 followers View post →
Sergio González Mora
@PhylumBryozoa · X

A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/GNrUldUg01

Feb 24, 2020 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 995 followers View post →
El Jardín de Charles
@CRCiencia · X

Artículo original (abstract) > A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/ag3OXKmj1r by @nature https://t.co/7YuO0GynyP

Feb 25, 2020 · 4 likes · 1 share · 121,995 followers View post →
Natasha Loder
@natashaloder · X

Initial results from the InSight mission on Mars https://t.co/ObMMpeWNLQ A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/q6pVaJLWmY Thanks to @MeaganPhelan, Joseph Caputo, Isobel Lisowski. https://t.co/Ne79X8S7Pd

Dec 17, 2020 · 2 likes · 20,922 followers View post →

All mentions

Krupali
@Immyownreflecti · X

https://t.co/XaYLNyCjm0

Jan 16, 2023 · 268 followers View post →
Professeur_Zeta
@Professeur_Zeta · X

RT @AlexisRastier: #Paleobotany If you want to look at the very first macro-algae currently known from the Precambrian fossil record, espec…

Nov 21, 2022 · 1 share · 170 followers View post →
Alexis Rastier - Sigillaria
@AlexisRastier · X

#Paleobotany If you want to look at the very first macro-algae currently known from the Precambrian fossil record, especially about Bangiomorpha pubescens and Proterocladus antiquus, this video may provide you a synthesized vision of these primitive algae.https://t.co/SFLsvGMW3g

Nov 21, 2022 · 1 like · 1 share · 621 followers View post →
Michelle s
@MichelledeSain1 · X

"The origin of photosynthetic eukaryotes represents a key evolutionary innovation that ultimately precipitated in major ecosystem-wide changes in the Earth’s history" to download the article via https://t.co/voQaXQGuaf: https://t.co/tZlrU0ON1z https://t.co/cDZ0Je3t8R

Mar 2, 2022 · 125 followers View post →
Natasha Loder
@natashaloder · X

Initial results from the InSight mission on Mars https://t.co/ObMMpeWNLQ A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/q6pVaJLWmY Thanks to @MeaganPhelan, Joseph Caputo, Isobel Lisowski. https://t.co/Ne79X8S7Pd

Dec 17, 2020 · 2 likes · 20,922 followers View post →
MaizeZynski Hawaii
@MaizeZynskiHI · X

RT @XiaoShuhai: When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4v…

Apr 27, 2020 · 14 shares · 2,021 followers View post →
(((Lesley Roberts)))
@gallimaufrey777 · X

RT @XiaoShuhai: When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4v…

Mar 2, 2020 · 14 shares · 3,702 followers View post →
Leandro Martínez
@gesaghi · X

Article A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte. https://t.co/n0CpYF1wdF

Feb 29, 2020 · 181 followers View post →
Rosa Maria PG
@RosaMariaPG1 · X

RT @HdCiencia:

Feb 27, 2020 · 3 shares · 519 followers View post →
José ✨
@ecay_J · X

RT @HdCiencia:

Feb 27, 2020 · 3 shares · 444 followers View post →
El Pulgar del Panda (Jorge Garrido-Bautista)
@Pulgar_Panda · X

RT @HdCiencia:

Feb 27, 2020 · 3 shares · 19,464 followers View post →
Hablando de Ciencia
@HdCiencia · X

Feb 27, 2020 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 48,993 followers View post →
咲村珠樹 (Tamaki SAKIMURA)
@SabreF86 · X

中国、大連近郊で見つかった2mmほどの微化石。これまでよりも古い、世界最古の多細胞生物のものであることが判ったそうな。2月24日付の「ネイチャー」電子版に論文が発表されてる。 A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/hDGwbo7E7D

Feb 27, 2020 · 1 like · 1,551 followers View post →
algawatch
@algawatch · X

A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/QY2Aot96UF

Feb 26, 2020 · 110 followers View post →
Kentucky Humanists
@KHumanists · X

A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/KVnjm449i9

Feb 26, 2020 · 3 followers View post →
Alex Bowles
@_AlexBowles · X

RT @XiaoShuhai: When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4v…

Feb 26, 2020 · 14 shares · 1,241 followers View post →
Cameron Thrash
@jcamthrash · X

A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/nfWPkrQc9u

Feb 25, 2020 · 1 like · 17,522 followers View post →
Jente Ottenburghs | Avian Hybrids
@Jente_O · X

A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/QHDCN222hO https://t.co/5XIv2cAMwO

Feb 25, 2020 · 4,038 followers View post →
Peter Wilf
@RadioGondwana · X

RT @XiaoShuhai: When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4v…

Feb 25, 2020 · 14 shares · 1,870 followers View post →
Taras Savchyn
@trsvchn · X

RT @XiaoShuhai: When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4v…

Feb 25, 2020 · 14 shares · 130 followers View post →
Abaddonx
@abaddonxrdv · X

RT @CRCiencia: Artículo original (abstract) > A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/ag3OXKmj1r by @nature https://t…

Feb 25, 2020 · 1 share · 496 followers View post →
El Jardín de Charles
@CRCiencia · X

Artículo original (abstract) > A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/ag3OXKmj1r by @nature https://t.co/7YuO0GynyP

Feb 25, 2020 · 4 likes · 1 share · 121,995 followers View post →
Heda Agić
@palaeoheda · X

RT @XiaoShuhai: When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4v…

Feb 25, 2020 · 14 shares · 536 followers View post →
Penthor-Mul
@Penthor · X

RT @TomHoltzPaleo: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/cpS5sGfF6w

Feb 24, 2020 · 7 shares · 338 followers View post →
Kuzco
@Kuzco297 · X

RT @TomHoltzPaleo: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/cpS5sGfF6w

Feb 24, 2020 · 7 shares · 283 followers View post →
fernanda castano
@ferwen · X

A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/WE1Ilk0srA

Feb 24, 2020 · 1 like · 2,717 followers View post →
S K Pandey
@pintoopandey · X

RT @XiaoShuhai: When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4v…

Feb 24, 2020 · 14 shares · 252 followers View post →
The Dry Dredgers
@drydredgers · X

RT @XiaoShuhai: When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4v…

Feb 24, 2020 · 14 shares · 750 followers View post →
Jen O'Keefe
@PalyJen · X

RT @PhylumBryozoa: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/GNrUldUg01

Feb 24, 2020 · 3 shares · 1,698 followers View post →
barix10
@barix10 · X

RT @PhylumBryozoa: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/GNrUldUg01

Feb 24, 2020 · 3 shares · 523 followers View post →
Emily G Mitchell
@EGMitchell · X

RT @XiaoShuhai: When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4v…

Feb 24, 2020 · 14 shares · 2,622 followers View post →
Dr Tiffany Slater
@_Tiffany_Slater · X

RT @XiaoShuhai: When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4v…

Feb 24, 2020 · 14 shares · 655 followers View post →
Darío Estraviz López
@DarioEstraviz · X

RT @PhylumBryozoa: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/GNrUldUg01

Feb 24, 2020 · 3 shares · 2,962 followers View post →
Niall Murphy
@nmurphy · X

RT @TomHoltzPaleo: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/cpS5sGfF6w

Feb 24, 2020 · 7 shares · 103 followers View post →
Sergio González Mora
@PhylumBryozoa · X

A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/GNrUldUg01

Feb 24, 2020 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 995 followers View post →
Carlos Góis-Marques
@CGoisMarques · X

RT @TomHoltzPaleo: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/cpS5sGfF6w

Feb 24, 2020 · 7 shares · 1,101 followers View post →
Peter Crockford
@Earth2Pete · X

RT @XiaoShuhai: When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4v…

Feb 24, 2020 · 14 shares · 1,167 followers View post →
jasonloxton.bsky.social
@jason_loxton · X

RT @TomHoltzPaleo: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/cpS5sGfF6w

Feb 24, 2020 · 7 shares · 2,750 followers View post →
うろ
@uro9000 · X

RT @TomHoltzPaleo: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/cpS5sGfF6w

Feb 24, 2020 · 7 shares · 1,101 followers View post →
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
@TomHoltzPaleo · X

A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/cpS5sGfF6w

Feb 24, 2020 · 40 likes · 7 shares · 32,114 followers View post →
Maria E. Orive
@MEOrive · X

@jeetsukumaran https://t.co/CH3ZYNTMFd

Feb 24, 2020 · 1 like · 1,320 followers View post →
Leigh Anne Riedman
@NeoprotFossil · X

RT @XiaoShuhai: When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4v…

Feb 24, 2020 · 14 shares · 419 followers View post →
Shuhai Xiao
@XiaoShuhai · X

When the ocean turned green: A one-billion-year-old multicellular chlorophyte https://t.co/NZl3HTcUjJ https://t.co/bSsLlQ4vrk

Feb 24, 2020 · 54 likes · 14 shares · 221 followers View post →
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