“Terrible beasts”: fossils of ancient predatory worms discovered in Greenland
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In Northern Greenland, scientists discovered fossils of a previously unknown species of predatory worms. They were a key part of the ecosystem around 518 million years ago.
This species became new to science, so scientists gave it the name Timorebestia, which means “terrible beasts” in Latin, writes CNN with reference to a study published in the journal Science Advances.
The predatory worms reached nearly 30 centimeters in length and were among the largest marine animals in the period known as the Early Cambrian. They had fins on the sides of their bodies, and their heads had long whiskers and massive jaws.
The life of these ancient predators in the ocean could probably last from 10 to 15 million years, and in the marine environment they had no equal.
| Illustration: Bob Nicholls |
“The species Timorebestia was a giant of its time and was at the top of the food chain. This makes it equivalent in importance to some of the top predators in today’s oceans, including sharks and seals“, says senior study author Dr. Jacob Winter.
In the Cambrian period, when these predators appeared, “animals evolved explosively for the first time.” This had a huge impact on carbon and nutrient cycles, as well as the pace of evolution, Winter adds.
The scientist also notes that predatory worms are distant relatives of much smaller modern tapeworms that feed on zooplankton.
After studying the fossils, the team discovered in the digestive system of Timorebestia remains of Isoxys – marine arthropods. They were eaten by predatory worms in large quantities.
According to the researchers, the study of Timorebestia will help to clarify the evolutionary chronology of worms from half a billion years ago to the present day.
Read also: The largest male of the most poisonous spider in the world was found in Australia
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