With 350 million years of evolution culminating in almost two centuries of scientific discourse, a new hypothesis emerges from the B CUBE – Center for Molecular Bioengineering at TU Dresden University of Technology. B CUBE researchers propose a new explanation for why ammonoids evolved a highly elaborate, fractal-like geometry within their shells. Their analysis shows that the increasing complexity of shell structures provided a distinct advantage by offering improved protection against predators. The findings are published in the journal Science Advances.