Latest news with #Jean-BernardCaron
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Three-eyed ancient predator ‘unlike any living animal' discovered
Scientists examining a rare fossil found in Canada's Burgess Shale have discovered a predator with three eyes that lived over 500 million years ago. The fossil species, named Mosura fentoni for resembling the fictional Japanese kaiju Mothra, was about the size of an index finger with three eyes, spiny jointed claws, a circular mouth lined with teeth, and a body with swimming flaps along its sides, researchers from the Royal Ontario Museum said. Mosura fentoni, also dubbed 'sea moth' due to its broad swimming flaps and narrow abdomen, was a member of an extinct group of animals called radiodonts, which included the meter-long marine predator Anomalocaris canadensis. It was, researchers said, 'unlike any living animal'. Mosura had a unique abdomen-like body region with multiple segments at its back end, according to a new study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science. 'This is a neat example of evolutionary convergence with modern groups like horseshoe crabs, woodlice, and insects, which share a batch of segments bearing respiratory organs at the rear of the body," study co-author Joe Moysiuk said. Scientists said it was not clear why Mosura had this unique body adaptation but suspected it could be related to a particular habitat preference requiring more efficient respiration. It was distantly related to modern moths and belonged to a deeper branch of arthropods including spiders, crabs and millipedes. "Radiodonts were the first group of arthropods to branch out in the evolutionary tree, so they provide key insight into ancestral traits for the entire group,' Jean-Bernard Caron, another author of the study, said. 'The new species emphasises these early arthropods were already surprisingly diverse and were adapting in a comparable way to their distant modern relatives.' Mosura did not have arteries and veins, but an "open" circulatory system that involved the heart pumping blood into large internal body cavities called lacunae. "The well-preserved lacunae of the circulatory system in Mosura help us to interpret similar, but less clear features that we've seen before in other fossils,' Dr Moysiuk said. The Burgess Shale fossil grounds in Canada's Yoho and Kootenay National Parks are recognised as Unesco World Heritage Sites. 'Very few fossil sites in the world offer this level of insight into soft internal anatomy. We can see traces representing bundles of nerves in the eyes that would have been involved in image processing, just like in living arthropods,' Dr Caron said, adding that the 'details are astounding'.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Three-eyed ancient predator ‘unlike any living animal' discovered
Scientists examining a rare fossil found in Canada's Burgess Shale have discovered a predator with three eyes that lived over 500 million years ago. The fossil species, named Mosura fentoni for resembling the fictional Japanese kaiju Mothra, was about the size of an index finger with three eyes, spiny jointed claws, a circular mouth lined with teeth, and a body with swimming flaps along its sides, researchers from the Royal Ontario Museum said. Mosura fentoni, also dubbed 'sea moth' due to its broad swimming flaps and narrow abdomen, was a member of an extinct group of animals called radiodonts, which included the meter-long marine predator Anomalocaris canadensis. It was, researchers said, 'unlike any living animal'. Mosura had a unique abdomen-like body region with multiple segments at its back end, according to a new study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science. 'This is a neat example of evolutionary convergence with modern groups like horseshoe crabs, woodlice, and insects, which share a batch of segments bearing respiratory organs at the rear of the body," study co-author Joe Moysiuk said. Scientists said it was not clear why Mosura had this unique body adaptation but suspected it could be related to a particular habitat preference requiring more efficient respiration. It was distantly related to modern moths and belonged to a deeper branch of arthropods including spiders, crabs and millipedes. "Radiodonts were the first group of arthropods to branch out in the evolutionary tree, so they provide key insight into ancestral traits for the entire group,' Jean-Bernard Caron, another author of the study, said. 'The new species emphasises these early arthropods were already surprisingly diverse and were adapting in a comparable way to their distant modern relatives.' Mosura did not have arteries and veins, but an "open" circulatory system that involved the heart pumping blood into large internal body cavities called lacunae. "The well-preserved lacunae of the circulatory system in Mosura help us to interpret similar, but less clear features that we've seen before in other fossils,' Dr Moysiuk said. The Burgess Shale fossil grounds in Canada's Yoho and Kootenay National Parks are recognised as Unesco World Heritage Sites. 'Very few fossil sites in the world offer this level of insight into soft internal anatomy. We can see traces representing bundles of nerves in the eyes that would have been involved in image processing, just like in living arthropods,' Dr Caron said, adding that the 'details are astounding'.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Paleontologists discover a ‘three-eyed' predator that once roamed Earth's oceans 500 million years ago
Image source: New York Times Paleontologists, aided by more than 60 fossil finds, discovered Mosura fentoni , an intriguing three-eyed predator that roamed in the oceans of Earth more than 500 million years ago. Also referred to as the "sea moth" because of its moth-like body, the ancient arthropod sheds important light on the early evolution and diversity of the arthropods. The discovery illuminates the diverse ecosystems of the Cambrian Era, underlining the influence of Mosura and other predators on ocean life. Mosura fossils provide an unprecedented peek into early arthropod anatomy, giving us a greater appreciation of ancient existence and evolutionary creation. 'Three-eyed' predator Mosura fentoni and the early history of arthropods Mosura fentoni was one of a group known as the radiodonts, a small but significant predator during the Cambrian Period. Radiodonts are part of an ancient lineage of the arthropod branch of the family tree, an important group that gives rise to today's living insects, spiders, and crustaceans. The research, done by scientists who wrote in the Royal Society Open Science journal, provides new insight into what these early arthropods were and how much like modern versions they look. The discovery of Mosura fentoni adds to the understanding of the history of arthropod evolution. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Though extinct, radiodonts are crucial to studies of the evolution of current arthropods, which occupy over 80% of all living animal species. According to lead study author Dr. Joe Moysiuk, curator of paleontology at the Manitoba Museum, the fossils provide a rare glimpse into this extinct group's history. Mosura fentoni characteristics One of the most noticeable characteristics of Mosura fentoni is its then-unknown abdomen-shaped body segment, with 16 segments, such as gills at the rear. It is a then-unknown body characteristic in any other radiodont. It has a shape resembling structures in its modern relatives such as horseshoe crabs, woodlice, and insects, where respiratory organs are borne by segments. This feature likely helped Mosura to efficiently suck oxygen from its environment, potentially indicating evolutionary convergence—the mechanism by which bodily similarities develop in unrelated groups independently. Study co-author Dr. Jean-Bernard Caron, a Royal Ontario Museum curator, noted that Mosura's diverse anatomy demonstrates early flexibility of arthropods. Mosura's sea moth shape and its mysterious 'third eye' Mosura's "sea moth" nickname is because of its body shape and size resemblance to moths today—about as long as an adult human index finger. Although it resembles one, no living creature is in Mosura's full form. Although the animal possessed insect-like and crustacean-like jointed claws, its strangest feature was its third eye. Located in the middle of its head, this additional eye is distinct from the many eyes of present-day arthropods, in an orientation maintenance function. Moysiuk speculated that Mosura's significant third eye helped guide it through the underwater environment, as part of its life as a predator. Secondly, Mosura's swimming style would also be the same as a ray fish by using its several swimming flaps in a smooth wave-like manner to drive it forward in water. Its single pattern of locomotion along with its pencil-point mouth that was bordered by saw-like plates made Mosura stand apart from any other living being in the present world. How Mosura's unique claws and features helped it survive Although it is not known precisely how Mosura took its prey, front claws in some of the fossils are an indication. A fossil spiny claw was discovered by Dr. Jean-Bernard Caron while excavating one of the specimens with caution. Spiny claws were used by most related species to capture prey, but Mosura claws had smooth, extended sides and bifurcated ends, which might have assisted in grasping and moving small animals towards its mouth. It is presumed that Mosura likely preyed upon smaller arthropods and worms that lived in its habitat. However, it too could have been a victim of the sea's larger predators, such as the Anomalocaris canadensis, a radiodont that looked like a shrimp, or the giant jellyfish Burgessomedusa phasmiformis. The discovery of Mosura's unique features helps researchers to reimagine the evolution of early arthropods like radiodonts. Harvard invertebrate paleontologist Rudy Lerosey-Aubril highlighted the way Mosura's unique body form can help researchers glimpse the developmental pathways that existed prior to evolutionary changes leading to more symmetrical body forms in subsequent species. Mosura's fossils from the Burgess Shale reveal its inner structure The fossils that made the identification of Mosura fentoni arose were found in the Burgess Shale, a world-renowned fossil bed within the Canadian Rockies. The Burgess Shale is renowned for preserving beautifully detailed remains of ancient creatures in the Cambrian Period, approximately 508 million years ago. Additional evidence of over 60 more specimens of Mosura were collected between 1975 and 2022, providing researchers with ample information about this enigmatic creature. The biggest asset of the fossilised Mosura specimens is perhaps the ability to recognize impressions of the circulatory, digestive, and nervous systems. The soft tissues are not usually preserved in fossils, giving the initial opportunity to view the inner works of an ancient arthropod. Researchers were able to identify packs of nerves within the eyes, allowing Mosura to read visual cues, much like modern arthropods. Mosura also had an open circulatory system, where the blood was circulated into internal cavities with the reflective leftovers left behind that have been maintained in the fossil remains. Mosura's role in the Cambrian ecosystem revealed The discovery of Mosura fentoni not only enlightens us about the evolution of arthropods but also provides us with crucial information about life on our planet during the Cambrian Explosion—a time when the diversification of the animal kingdom was happening at high speed. In the view of Dr. Russell D.C. Bicknell, an American Museum of Natural History scientist, this discovery provides us with information regarding how early sea ecosystems functioned, particularly the role of predators like Mosura. The extraordinary fossils of Mosura fentoni are proof of the diversity of life in Cambrian times and the level of sophistication of primitive arthropods. The perfect preservation of these fossils, especially at the Burgess Shale, is a goldmine for researchers who wish to know more about the history of life on Earth. Also Read | King cobra vs desert kingsnakes: Key difference on the basis of features, diet, venom and more
Mint
17-05-2025
- Science
- Mint
Scientists discover 3-eyed sea predator from 506 million years ago; it used to fly underwater
Scientists have discovered a small three-eyed predator called Mosura fentoni. Nicknamed the 'sea moth', the creature lived in the ocean about 506 million years ago. The new study was published on May 13 in the journal Royal Society Open Science. It belonged to an ancient group of sea creatures called radiodonts, which are related to today's insects, spiders and crabs. Fossils show it had a unique body part with 16 segments and gills, helping it breathe better. This feature is similar to parts seen in modern animals like horseshoe crabs and woodlice. Experts believe Mosura fentoni evolved in a way like these modern creatures. The discovery shows that ancient sea animals were already very diverse. 'The new species emphasises that these early arthropods were already surprisingly diverse and were adapting in a comparable way to their distant modern relatives,' CNN quoted study coauthor Dr. Jean-Bernard Caron as saying. No living animal today looks quite like Mosura fentoni. It had jointed claws like insects or crabs. It also had a large third eye in the middle of its head. Mosura likely swam like a stingray, using flaps to glide underwater. Its mouth looked like a pencil sharpener, lined with sharp plates. 'Although not closely related, Mosura probably swam in a similar way to a ray, undulating its multiple sets of swimming flaps up and down, like flying underwater,' said Dr Joe Moysiuk, curator of palaeontology and geology at the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg. 'It also had a mouth shaped like a pencil sharpener and lined with rows of serrated plates, unlike any living animal,' he added. Around the size of a human finger, it reminded scientists of a moth, so they called it a 'sea moth'. Its forked claws were unusual, possibly used to grab small prey and move it towards its sharp mouth. 'It's a bit of a puzzle how exactly it was using these to capture prey, but we think it might have seized smaller animals with the tips of the spines and passed them towards the mouth,' Moysiuk said. Mosura lived alongside small worms and crustaceans it may have eaten. Mosura itself might have been hunted by larger sea animals like the jellyfish. Experts say this discovery gives more clues about how ocean life worked millions of years ago. Interestingly, Mosura had an unusual trunk-like body part. It was different from what is usually seen in similar creatures. This feature may help scientists understand how these sea animals evolved from simple, worm-like bodies to more complex forms.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Meet the 'sea moth,' a three-eyed sea creature from 500+ million years ago
Scientists have discovered a three-eyed "sea moth" that dates back more than half a billion years ago. Paleontologists Joseph Moysiuk and Jean-Bernard Caron published a study an Wednesday, May 14 that introduces their findings of Mosura fentoni, a new type of radiodont that existed more than 500 million years ago. The "sea moth"-like species caught researchers' attention because of its third, median eye. Scientists named the newly-discovered species "Mosura fentoni," after the fictional Japanese monster kaiju, also known as "Mothra," for its moth-like appearance, the study states. Here's what to know about the newly-discovered deep sea creature. The newly-discovered Mosura fentoni specimen is only about 15 to 61 millimeters long (0.6 to 2.4 inches). The "sea moth" features a short head; small, rounded exoskeleton; three prominent eyes; appendages; large swimming flaps; and densely-packed gills, according to the study. The Mosura fentoni lived during the Cambrian Explosion, which began about 541 million years ago. The Mosura fentoni was a radiodont, a type of arthropod that lived between 520 to 400 million years ago, according to the United Kingdom's Natural History Museum. A popularly known radiodont is Anomalocaris, thought to be one of the first apex predators. Paleontologists believe Mosura fentoni hunted small prey, like shrimp, to avoid competing with other radiodonts in its ecosystem, according to the U.K. Natural History Museum. Mosura fentoni would have used rows of paddle-like fins to glide through the ocean and then use hook-like segments of its feeding appendages to grab small pray and move them through its mouth. While paleontologists are still learning why Mosura fentoni had a third eye, researchers believe the eye may have been used to detect light and the seascape it moved through. Perhaps Mosura fentoni's median eye was similar to that of a dragonfly's extra eyes (yes, dragonflies have five eyes), used to orient themselves during high-speed hunts, according to the U.K. Natural History Museum. A feature of the specimen that has particularly intrigued researchers is its dark, reflective patches, which are called "tonguelettes." Though these structures have been interpreted differently over the years, in Mosura fentoni, researchers believe they suggest structures of an open circulatory system, according to the museum. This means that the Mosura fentoni would have pumped a blood-like substance called haemolymph through a series of body cavities. "Their identity has been controversial, but the well-preserved (body cavities) in Mosura help us to interpret similar, but less clear features that we've seen before in other fossils," Moysiuk told the U.K. museum. "It turns out that preservation of these structures is widespread, confirming the ancient origin of this type of circulatory system." The Mosura fentoni's densely-packed gills also vary from other radiodonts that researchers have studied. These gills indicate that the species may have lived in more active lifestyle in low-oxygen environments. In fact, the gills resemble the same structure that horseshoe crabs possess, which is called the opisthosoma. "That's not to say that horseshoe crabs and radiodonts are especially closely related, but it's instead an example of convergent evolution," said paleontologist Greg Edgecombe, per the U.K. Natural History Museum. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Sea moth': Scientists discover 3-eyed sea creature, Mosura fentoni
