Early ancestor of scorpions and spiders found in Africa

The mystery of the beginning of paleontology was solved by chance by describing a fossil of a Moroccan arthropod: it is the most ancient ancestor of chelicerates

A study of the fossils of archaeological site An African scientist has revealed the ancestor of spiders, scorpions and horseshoe crabs, solving a paleontological mystery that has spanned decades, virtually the entire existence of past animal science. The work was a joint effort between the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS).

• Fossils of giant arthropods dating back 470 million years are found in Morocco
• The fossil of a spider with spiny legs intrigues scientists

Both horseshoe crabs, scorpions and spiders belong to the arthropod lineage, which appeared on our planet about 540 million years ago. They are all part of a subgroup famous for their creatures with claws used to bite, grab prey or inject venom: the chelicerae, hence the name chelicerates (Chelicerata). His ancestors were, until then, unknown.

The missing link of the chelicerates

The mystery of the ancestors of the Chelicerates occupied the minds of the paleontologists long ago, as there were no ancient arthropods similar enough to modern representatives to indicate ancestry. The period between 505 and 430 million years ago, in particular, was absent in the fossils, complicating the issue.

Enter Lorenzo Lustri, a doctoral student at the University of Lausanne, who was studying 478-million-year-old fossils from the Fezouata shale, in Morocco. Remains were found in the region in the early 2000s, but some had not yet been described. Lustri was describing one, dating back to the Cambrian period, and was surprised when he noticed its characteristics.

Measuring between 5 and 10 millimeters in length, the species has earned the scientific name of Setapedite abundantand was described based on 100 specimens studied with X-ray scanners, allowing the creation of complete 3D anatomical models.

While the similarity is sufficient to demonstrate ancestry, more in-depth studies will be needed to establish a more solid link and understand the evolution of chelicerates at the beginning of time.

Source: Nature communications

Trends on Canaltech:

• The magnetic anomaly affecting Brazil is growing and moving
• VinFast VF 3 | Electric Jipinho is a sales success on Shopee
• China creates an army of robot dogs equipped with weapons
• 🚨 UNMISSABLE | Buy Galaxy S23 512 GB on super offer with coupon
• It is FALSE that the Earth will be “much further” from the Sun! Understand what aphelion is
• Void stars could solve the black hole mystery

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.