A novel study has unveiled that the oldest known fossilized sperm has been discovered. The 50 million years old sperm was discovered inside a worm cocoon in Antarctica. Scientists have said that the fossilized sperm seems to have entrapped in the cocoon walls.

One of the study’s leaders, paleontologist Benjamin Bomfleur from the Swedish Museum of Natural History, termed the discovery to be ‘a bizarre fossil oddball’. The researchers have explained that earthworms and leeches release eggs and sperm in their cocoons.

Dr. Bomfleur said, “Under very high magnification, we noticed these tiny surface structures. And they had these tail portions that looked very much like sperm cells”.

They consulted their finding with the experts who study worms and their cocoons and after that they confirmed that they have found fossilized sperm. The researchers have used radiometric dating and through it, it was found that the sperm was at least 50 million years old. As per the researchers, the sperm cells are similar to modern crayfish worms and leechlike animals.

There is a possibility that many other fossilized cocoons may also contain sperm. The findings can help them know more about the evolutionary history of the worms.

Though the sperm is well preserved, it cannot be expected to be used to create a worm version of Jurassic Park. It is not confirmed yet, but scientists believe that the hardness and durable shape of the cocoon has helped in the preservation of the sperm.