Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

eppur_se_muova

(36,274 posts)
Thu Mar 12, 2015, 12:24 PM Mar 2015

'Giant lobster' {an Anomalocaridid, actually} ate like a whale (BBC)

Scientists have discovered a bizarre human-sized lobster ancestor that lived 480 million years ago.

The monster used spiny "limbs" on its head to sift food from the ocean.

It also had pairs of fins along both sides of its 2m-long body, which are precursors of the double limbs seen in many of its living relatives.

This adds to our picture of how modern "arthropods" developed - a group of animals that includes crustaceans, spiders and insects.

An unusually well-preserved fossil from Morocco was the key to the discovery.
***
more: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-31837024
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature14256.html

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Science»'Giant lobster' {an Anoma...