Uploaded August 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
The majority of animals living today can move, some can run, and some can even fly. But what about the first animals?
Were the first animals able to move? When did they learn to move? Why did they move? How did they move? Did they have legs? Prof. Xiao at Virginia Tech will explore some of these questions using the Ediacaran-Cambrian fossil record, with a focus on his recent work on the Shibantan Lagerstätte, in collaboration with his colleagues from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology.
Prof. Xiao is Professor of Geobiology in the Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Peking University and his PhD from Harvard University. He integrates paleobiological, sedimentological, stratigraphic, and geochemical data to answer questions about Precambrian paleobiology and paleoenvironments.
*Please note, this lecture may not be suitable for young children, but is suitable for adults and young people – beginners and experts welcome!
Visit our website: oumnh.ox.ac.uk
Visit the First Animals exhibition online: oumnh.ox.ac.uk/first-animals
Our First Animals models are available on the Sketchfab app, and are available for use under Creative Commons. Discover them here: sketchfab.com/morethanadodo
Your generous donations help to keep our public programmes running. Donate to the Museum: bit.ly/oumnh-donate-yt
The majority of animals living today can move, some can run, and some can even fly. But what about the first animals?
Were the first animals able to move? When did they learn to move? Why did they move? How did they move? Did they have legs? Prof. Xiao at Virginia Tech will explore some of these questions using the Ediacaran-Cambrian fossil record, with a focus on his recent work on the Shibantan Lagerstätte, in collaboration with his colleagues from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology.
Prof. Xiao is Professor of Geobiology in the Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Peking University and his PhD from Harvard University. He integrates paleobiological, sedimentological, stratigraphic, and geochemical data to answer questions about Precambrian paleobiology and paleoenvironments.
*Please note, this lecture may not be suitable for young children, but is suitable for adults and young people – beginners and experts welcome!
Visit our website: oumnh.ox.ac.uk
Visit the First Animals exhibition online: oumnh.ox.ac.uk/first-animals
Our First Animals models are available on the Sketchfab app, and are available for use under Creative Commons. Discover them here: sketchfab.com/morethanadodo
Your generous donations help to keep our public programmes running. Donate to the Museum: bit.ly/oumnh-donate-yt
