Tag

Paleozoic

All articles tagged with #paleozoic

paleontology2 years ago

Ancient Jurassic Lampreys: Unveiling Flesh-Eating "Vampires"

Paleontologists have discovered the fossils of two 160 million-year-old lamprey species in North China, revealing that these ancient fish had already evolved into much larger creatures than their earlier counterparts. The largest of the newly discovered species measured over 64 centimeters in length. The exceptionally well-preserved fossils provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history and feeding biology of lampreys, shedding light on their origins and the development of their unique feeding behavior. The study also suggests that modern lampreys may have originated from the Southern Hemisphere.

paleontology2 years ago

Ancient Fossil Reveals Insights into Leaf Miners and Insect Evolution

A 312-million-year-old fossil found on a Carboniferous seed-fern leaf provides evidence of internal feeding within a leaf, known as leaf mining, occurring approximately 70 million years earlier than previously believed. The fossil, which represents the earliest indication of this behavior, sheds light on the evolution and behavior of insects. The exceptional preservation of the fossil allowed researchers to observe the meandering trail left by the larva, a behavior only known to be performed by holometabolous insects. This finding provides insights into larval behavior and the existence of full metamorphosis during the late Paleozoic period.

paleontology2 years ago

Ancient Spider Fossil Unearthed in Germany: A Museum Curator's Discovery

Museum curator Jason Dunlop has identified the oldest spider fossil ever found in Germany, dating back 310 to 315 million years ago. The fossil, named Arthrolycosa wolterbeeki, was discovered in a quarry near Osnabrück and is nearly complete, providing valuable insights into ancient arachnids. The spider belonged to the order Araneae and was likely a burrow-dwelling species that lived in a forested area, spinning its web on the forest floor. This discovery expands our understanding of spiders in the Paleozoic era and highlights the exceptional preservation of the specimen.