444 million year old primitive arthropod fossil

A previously unknown primitive creature has just emerged after 444 million years. The mystery of the origin of life is about to be rewritten.

While conducting archaeological excavations in the Soom Shale in South Africa, Professor Sarah Gabbott from the University of Leicester in the UK unexpectedly found a strange and mysterious prehistoric fossil specimen. Photo: @University of Leicester.

Scientifically known as Keurbos susanae, this ancient arthropod lived during the Ordovician period, about 444 million years ago. Photo: @University of Leicester.

Professor Sarah Gabbott, lead author of the study, said: "Keurbos susanae is a strange ancient arthropod. What's amazing is that inside its fossilized body, which is like a time capsule, despite being mineralized, parts such as muscles, tendons and even intestines are well preserved in unimaginable detail." Photo: @University of Leicester.

Keurbos susanae is a large arthropod. Its body has 46 dorsal segments, decreasing in size towards the back. Each dorsal segment is defined by a gently curved posterior convex band, with a set of narrow, parallel ridges aligned with the body axis. Photo: @University of Leicester.

However, its sturdy shell and head were lost, possibly due to decomposition more than 440 million years ago, Sarah Gabbott added. Photo: @University of Leicester.

From an analytical perspective, preliminary fossil research suggests that Keurbos susanae is an ancient primitive marine arthropod, but the exact evolutionary relationship of this creature remains elusive and requires further in-depth research. Photo: @University of Leicester.

Sarah Gabbott believes that the extraordinary preservation of soft tissue in the Keurbos susanae fossil is due to a special combination of chemical factors in the sediment. The environment was not only low in oxygen but also rich in hydrogen sulfide, a toxic compound. Such conditions may have helped preserve the fossil's delicate internal structures, but also accelerated the decomposition of external features such as the head and shell. Photo: @University of Leicester.

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Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/hoa-thach-dong-vat-chan-dot-nguyen-thuy-444-trieu-nam-tuoi-post1548020.html