Ancient Giant Prototaxites Mystery

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Prototaxites fossils

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first Prototaxites fossil

Live Science

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Science

Scientists baffled at mysterious ancient creature that doesn't fit on the tree of life as we know it

Summary

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Prototaxites lived 420 million to 375 million years ago during the Devonian period.

These organisms would have been massive, with some species growing up to 26 feet ( 8 meters ) tall and 3 feet ( 1 meter ) wide.

Scientists say they may have been part of a totally different kingdom of life, separate from fungi, plants and protists.

Jess Thomson is a freelance journalist. She previously worked as a science reporter for Newsweek , and has also written for publications including VICE, The Guardian , The Cut, and Inverse. Jess holds a Biological Sciences degree from the University of Oxford , where she specialised in animal behavior and ecology. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. How many species of insects are there on Earth ? Scientists thought sharks didn't make sounds — until this accidental discovery.

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English

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