Why did some ancient animals fossilize while others vanished?

Why did some ancient animals fossilize while others vanished?

Why do some ancient animals become fossils while others disappear without a trace? A new study reveals that part of the answer lies in the body itself. The research shows that an animal's size and chemical makeup can play an important role in determining whether it's preserved for millions of years -- or lost to time.

Why did some animals from ancient eras become fossils while others simply disappeared without leaving a trace? The answer, at least in part, could be in their own body, according to a study by the University of Lausanne (UNIL) published in Nature Communications. Researchers found that the size and chemical composition of [...]