Nature & Environment
This Massive, Prehistoric Sea Scorpion May Have Been One of the World's First Predators
Catherine Griffin
First Posted: Sep 01, 2015 08:25 AM EDT
A massive sea scorpion may be one of the Earth's first predators. Scientists have uncovered a previously unknown species of sea scorpion that measured 1.5 meters in length and dates back a staggering 460 million years.
"The new species is incredibly bizarre," said James Lamsdell, one of the researchers, in a news release. "The shape of the paddle-the leg which it would use to swim-is unique, as is the shape of the head. It's also big-over a meter and a half long!"
This new species is the oldest known species of sea scorpion, known as a eurypterid. These extinct, monster-like predators once swarmed the seas and are actually related to modern arachnids. This particular species was named Pentecopterus decorahensis after the "penteconter," which is an ancient Greek warship that the species resembles in outline.
"Perhaps most surprising is the fantastic way it is preserved-the exoskeleton is compressed on the rock but can be peeled off and studied under a microscope. This shows an amazing amount of detail, such as the patterns of small hairs on the legs. AT times it seems like you are studying the shed skin of a modern animal-an incredibly exciting opportunity for any paleontologist."
The exceptional preservation of the exoskeleton has helped the researchers to interpret the role of finer structures, such as scales, follicles and setae, which are stiff bristles.
The findings reveal a bit more about this species. More specifically, it shows one of the very first large predators that roamed our Earth's early oceans.
The findings are published in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology.
Related Stories
What Color Were Dinosaurs? Fossil Pigments May Reveal Feather Colors
New Fossil of Extinct Reptile May be the Missing Link for Lizard Evolution
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).
See Now:
NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone
©2024 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.
More on SCIENCEwr
First Posted: Sep 01, 2015 08:25 AM EDT
A massive sea scorpion may be one of the Earth's first predators. Scientists have uncovered a previously unknown species of sea scorpion that measured 1.5 meters in length and dates back a staggering 460 million years.
"The new species is incredibly bizarre," said James Lamsdell, one of the researchers, in a news release. "The shape of the paddle-the leg which it would use to swim-is unique, as is the shape of the head. It's also big-over a meter and a half long!"
This new species is the oldest known species of sea scorpion, known as a eurypterid. These extinct, monster-like predators once swarmed the seas and are actually related to modern arachnids. This particular species was named Pentecopterus decorahensis after the "penteconter," which is an ancient Greek warship that the species resembles in outline.
"Perhaps most surprising is the fantastic way it is preserved-the exoskeleton is compressed on the rock but can be peeled off and studied under a microscope. This shows an amazing amount of detail, such as the patterns of small hairs on the legs. AT times it seems like you are studying the shed skin of a modern animal-an incredibly exciting opportunity for any paleontologist."
The exceptional preservation of the exoskeleton has helped the researchers to interpret the role of finer structures, such as scales, follicles and setae, which are stiff bristles.
The findings reveal a bit more about this species. More specifically, it shows one of the very first large predators that roamed our Earth's early oceans.
The findings are published in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology.
Related Stories
What Color Were Dinosaurs? Fossil Pigments May Reveal Feather Colors
New Fossil of Extinct Reptile May be the Missing Link for Lizard Evolution
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone