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Welcome to our C.O.R.E. group website
CORE Group. This is an informal international research alliance with a common interest in the exceptionally 3D preserved 'Orsten' fossils from the Cambrian, founded in 2005. Our main issue is to concentrate expertise and interests on 'Orsten' type fossils and lagerstätten and related topics and to disseminate information on the 'Orsten'.
CORE. Stands for an excellent example of a fruitful alliance of Biology and Palaeontology in order to improve our understanding of animal evolution (Metazoa). Study objects of the CORE Group are in the main the 'Orsten' fossils themselves and the geology around the 'Orsten'.
'Orsten' fossils – mainly arthropods – have, not least due to their three-dimensional preservation of their bodies and appendages, opened a unique window into early life at the bottom of the Cambrian sea; a further advantage is the preservation of representatives of different evolutionary levels and even of developmental stages, permitting an exciting view into the life history of such old animals.
This also allows the study of the development of structures and structural systems (e.g. the feeding system) in an evolutionary context. And it permits direct comparisons between these exquisitely preserved fossil animals and their living counterparts/relatives and to discuss life habits and ecological aspects of these Cambrian forms.
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Left: Preservation of complete animals and details. Right: Animals from sites around the world.
For more pictures see our gallery (homepage left colum)
Relevance of 'Orsten' animals. Since these animals are witnesses of a life 500 million years ago and a direct evidence of truly exsisted morphologies, their study has aided in boosting our understanding of the early evolution and phylogeny of especially the Arthropoda and to understand more about functional aspects and evolutionary changes toward the modern taxa. 'Orsten' animals are the true database to test models and hypotheses, no matter if morphology- or molecule-based.
Enjoy our 'Orsten' web page clicking here.
You can also use the options above and on the left side.
Feel free to send us your suggestions, adds, critics, etc.
News Ticker
2013
April: Dieter had to be operated again
April: Orstenies became 3rd at Burlafingen Indoors Fistball Tournament
March: long expected paper on appendages of Crustacea published, see list of references
2012
Our good colleague from Sweden, Jan Bergströn passed away
For older news of 2012 and before see our archive
March 12, 2010: Klaus Müller, discoverer of the Orsten, died
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Last revision: 2013-04-30 |