Rocks from the Yangtze Gorge area of China have revealed faint traces of what are interpreted as the first footprints (like the above beetle prints on sand?) of an animal living some 540-550 million years ago (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jun/06/oldest-known-footprints-on-earth-discovered-left-by-ancient-bug). Although the cause of the prints is described as a 'bug', people have no idea if it was more like a modern bristle worm or an arthropod (only the footprints remain). The tracks may be linked to burrows that were apparently used by the animal. The novel aspect of the finding is that this is the oldest evidence of an animal with legs on our planet.
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
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