Shape From Penis Worms' Teeth Discovered

Findings published in the journal Palaeontology reveal that penis worms or "Ottoia" have "cheese grater" like teeth that help to frighten away predators.

After reconstructing the teeth of the penis worm, otherwise known as a priapulids, scientists were able to identify a number of previously unknown species from around the world.

Researchers used electron microscopy to examine the teeth of the worm that emerged during the Cambrian explosion, which was also known as a period of rapid evolutionary development for many species.

The teeth came in a variety of shapes, including cone, bear claw and some that even resembled a city skyline. However, types of early creatures like these have been difficult to examine due to soft bodies that can decay quite quickly.

"As teeth are the most hardy and resilient parts of animals, they are much more common as fossils than whole soft-bodied specimens," said Martin Smith, a postdoctoral researcher in Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences and the paper's lead author. "But when these teeth - which are only about a [millimeter] long - are found, they are easily misidentified as algal spores, rather than as parts of animals. Now that we understand the structure of these tiny fossils, we are much better placed to a wide suite of enigmatic fossils."

Researchers used a high-powered microscope to examine 500-million-year-old fossils that were able to examine more about the Penis Worm's anatomy.

Further analysis revealed that the teeth were less than a millimiter in size and lined with a scaly base that was fringed with tiny spikes and hairs.

The latest findings are important because they can help identify numerous previously unrecognized Penis Worm species worldwide.

"Taken together, our study has allowed us to compile a 'dentist's handbook' that will help paleontologists recognize a range of early teeth preserved in the fossil record," concluded Smith.