Crustacean fossil

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Crustacean fossil

Crustacean fossil from the 500 million-year-old Burgess Shale rocks. This is Waptia fieldensis, a marine crustacean that is now extinct. Only the rear end is seen. It steered through the water by using its telsons (tail-flaps, lower right). The front end resembled a lobster. It reached a length of around 7 centimetres. The Burgess Shale rocks, in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, were formed by avalanches of fine mud that preserved soft tissue details rarely found in the fossil record. This allowed them to record the Cambrian Explosion, the evolution of an extremely diverse array of invertebrate animals from which todays animals evolved

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Media ID 6371981

© ALAN SIRULNIKOFF/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Ancient Burgess Shale Cambrian Explosion Canada Canadian Crustacean Early Extinct Fins Fossil Invertebrate Fossilised Fossilized Fossils Rear Rock Tail Telson Palaeontology

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a remarkable crustacean fossil from the ancient Burgess Shale rocks, dating back an astonishing 500 million years. The featured creature is Waptia fieldensis, a now-extinct marine crustacean that only reveals its rear end in this snapshot. Its distinctive telsons, or tail-flaps, which can be observed at the lower right corner of the image, were used for steering through water. Resembling a modern lobster at its front end, this fascinating species reached a length of approximately 7 centimetres. The Burgess Shale rocks are located in the breathtaking Canadian Rocky Mountains and were formed by avalanches of fine mud that miraculously preserved delicate soft tissue details rarely found in fossils. This exceptional preservation allowed scientists to document the Cambrian Explosion—a pivotal period marked by the evolution and diversification of various invertebrate animals from which today's creatures evolved. This mesmerizing photograph not only captures the beauty and intricacy of this ancient crustacean but also serves as a testament to the invaluable insights provided by paleontology. It reminds us of our planet's rich history and highlights how these extraordinary fossils contribute to our understanding of Earth's past biodiversity.

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