This creature lived a very different lifestyle from its more ancient relatives of the Cambrian Period.
Tuesday, 05 Nov 2024 18:21:20 All 450 Million Fossil Bodies This Year Are Filled with ‘Gold’ (©Illustration created with ChatGPT)
Paleontologists discovered a fossil called Lomankus edgecombei that was preserved in fake gold, or what is usually called iron pyrite. In research published in the journal Current Biology, this creature lived around 450 million years ago.
This prehistoric creature belongs to a group called megacheiran, a group of arthropods that have large, modified legs on the front of their bodies that are used to catch prey.
Anyone else asking too?
Experts say the long-standing puzzle of how arthropods developed their limbs on their heads has been solved. These limbs are like the antennae of insects and crustaceans, as well as the claws and fangs of spiders and scorpions.
The research team led by Professor Luke Parry from the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, said: “Not only are these fossils a beautiful and striking golden colour, they are also amazingly preserved. It was as if they could get up and run away.”
Quoting the Independent, Tuesday (5/11), Megacheirans like Lomankus were very diverse during the Cambrian Period (538-485 million years ago), but most of them became extinct in the Ordovician Period (485-443 million years ago).
The flexible hairs on the front of Lomankus indicate that the animal used its front parts to sense the environment, not catch prey.
This also suggests that this creature lived a very different lifestyle from its more ancient relatives in the Cambrian Period.
“Today, there are more species of arthropods than any other group of animals on Earth. “One of the keys to their success is their highly adapted heads and other parts, which have adapted to challenges like a biological Swiss Army knife,” said Parry.
According to the journal Current Biology, Lomankus does not have eyes like others, meaning that it relies on its frontal appendix to sense and find food in dark, low-oxygen environments.
Professor Yu Liu of Yunnan University, also said, “These beautiful fossils show very clear plates on the underside of the head, which are connected to the mouth and flanked by large appendages.”
With the features described it is similar to living arthropods, suggesting that its large upper limbs were equivalent to the antennae of insects and the mouthparts of spiders and scorpions, the researchers said.
Intern reporter: Nadya Nur Aulia
The Gold-Studded Secrets of Lomankus Edgecombei: A Cheeky Peek at Prehistoric Prowess
This creature lived a very different lifestyle from its more ancient relatives of the Cambrian Period.
Brace yourselves, folks! Paleontologists have unearthed a fossil more gilded than any Amazon Prime delivery gone awry. Meet Lomankus edgecombei, a prehistoric party crasher preserved in “fool’s gold,” or as we like to call it, iron pyrite. Yes, this is nature’s way of showing that even in death you can look fabulously stunning. It seems that 450 million years later, some things just don’t change!
Now, this little nugget of ancient arthropod glory was a part of a group known as megacheirans. Picture those futuristic-looking crabs with massive front legs designed to snatch unwary victims—like me at an all-you-can-eat buffet. These elongated appendages are a bit like a less-than-pleasant dinner invitation—quite a conversation starter!
Speaking of running away, these ancient beasts had a different approach to life and limb than their ancestors from the Cambrian Period (let’s not even get started on how much harder it was to order takeout back then). You see, the flexible hairs on that spectacular front appendage likely helped Lomankus sense its surroundings rather than snagging snacks, like some bizarre prehistoric Tinder date gone bad.
In Professor Parry’s own words, “Today, there are more species of arthropods than any other group of animals on Earth.” That’s right, folks! Nature’s greatest multitaskers have adapted to rise to the environmental challenges of being… well, little creepy-crawlies. They’re like the Swiss Army knives of the animal kingdom. One minute they’re climbing up your leg, and the next, they’re off saving the world—or at least devouring your leftovers.
The journal Current Biology also points out that this unique critter navigated life sans eyes, relying instead on its snazzy front appendages to seek out food. Imagine that—life in the dark, low-oxygen realms without a clue about where you’re headed. Kind of like a Saturday night out, am I right?
Professor Yu Liu from Yunnan University added a ‘picture-perfect’ touch: “These beautiful fossils show very clear plates on the underside of the head, which are connected to the mouth and flanked by large appendages.” So cool! Basically, these fossils have enough character that they could be hired as the next big influencers in the arthropod world.
In summary, Lomankus edgecombei is a window into a prehistoric world where beauty and functionality weren’t mutually exclusive. So as we dig through the dirt for more gold-lined secrets, let’s remember: fossilized or not, we’re all just trying to survive, adapt, and maybe look fabulous doing it!
Intern reporter: Nadya Nur Aulia
This extraordinary creature lived a vastly different lifestyle compared to its ancient relatives from the Cambrian Period.
In a fascinating discovery, paleontologists unearthed the fossil known as Lomankus edgecombei, which astonishingly was preserved in iron pyrite, commonly referred to as “fool’s gold.” This remarkable fossil dates back approximately 450 million years.
This prehistoric creature is classified within the megacheiran group, a unique category of arthropods characterized by their large, modified front legs used primarily for capturing prey.
Experts believe they have finally unraveled the long-standing biological mystery regarding the development of limb structures in arthropods. The limbs observed resemble the antennae found in insects and crustaceans, as well as the formidable claws and fangs present in spiders and scorpions.
Led by Professor Luke Parry from Oxford University’s Department of Earth Sciences, the research team characterized these fossils as not only strikingly golden but also exquisitely preserved. Parry remarked, “It was as if they could get up and run away.”
According to reports from the Independent on November 5, megacheirans like Lomankus were exceptionally diverse during the Cambrian Period, which spanned from 538 to 485 million years ago, although a majority faced extinction during the subsequent Ordovician Period from 485 to 443 million years ago.
Intriguingly, the flexible hairs situated on the front of Lomankus suggest this creature utilized these appendages to sense its environment instead of capturing prey, indicating a departure from the predatory behaviors observed in its ancient relatives.
“Today, there are more species of arthropods than any other group of animals on Earth,” Parry explained. “One of the keys to their success is their highly adapted heads and other parts, which have evolved to tackle various ecological challenges like a biological Swiss Army knife.”
According to the research published in Current Biology, what sets Lomankus apart is its lack of traditional eyes, suggesting that it relied more on its frontal appendages to navigate and find food in dark, low-oxygen environments.
Professor Yu Liu from Yunnan University added, “These beautiful fossils exhibit very clear plates on the underside of the head, which are intricately connected to the mouth and are flanked by large appendages.”
Given its anatomical features, Lomankus closely resembles present-day arthropods, indicating that its substantial upper limbs functioned similarly to the antennae of insects and the mouthparts of spiders and scorpions, researchers concluded.
Intern reporter: Nadya Nur Aulia
E fossil’s extraordinary preservation and unique features. According to Professor Parry, “Not only are these fossils a beautiful and striking golden color, they are also amazingly preserved. It was as if they could get up and run away.”
Megacheirans like Lomankus were exceptionally diverse during the Cambrian Period (538-485 million years ago), but many faced extinction in the subsequent Ordovician Period (485-443 million years ago). Interestingly, the flexible appendages at the front of Lomankus indicate that it utilized these structures for sensory purposes rather than as tools for catching prey. This finding suggests a significant shift in lifestyle compared to its ancient relatives.
Professor Parry notes the evolution of arthropods, emphasizing their adaptability: “Today, there are more species of arthropods than any other group of animals on Earth. One of the keys to their success is their highly adapted heads and other body parts, which have evolved to meet various environmental challenges, operating like a biological Swiss Army knife.”
Additionally, the research published in the journal *Current Biology* reveals that Lomankus did not possess conventional eyes. Instead, it relied on its frontal appendages to navigate and locate food in dark, low-oxygen environments.
In the words of Professor Yu Liu from Yunnan University, the fossils exhibit distinct plates underneath the head that connect with the mouth and are flanked by large appendages, further highlighting their similarities to existing arthropods. This suggests that the large upper limbs of Lomankus served functions akin to the antennae of modern insects and the mouthparts of spiders and scorpions.
the study of Lomankus edgecombei provides critical insights into the evolutionary history of arthropods and the ecological dynamics of prehistoric life. As scientists continue to explore these incredible fossils, we gain a better understanding of the rich tapestry of life that once thrived on Earth.
**Intern reporter: Nadya Nur Aulia**
