A fossil or trace of an ancient parasitic worm, preserved in rock or sediment.
From Greek 'helminthos' (worm) plus the suffix '-ite' (fossil or mineral). Paleontologists use this term for fossilized parasites or worm traces found in geological deposits.
Finding helminthites tells scientists that parasites have been plaguing animals since at least the Paleozoic era—meaning evolution has been an arms race between parasites and immune systems for over 500 million years. Parasites are basically ancient as life itself.
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