Fossil worm
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Fossil worm
Fossil worm (Ottoia sp.) from the Burgess Shale area. This priapulid worm lived in the Middle Cambrian era, over 500 million years ago. This worm lived in U-shaped burrows in sediment on the seabed. It hunted for prey with an extended proboscis (lower left). It was carnivorous and swallowed its prey head first. Gut contents of fossils have also shown that it was cannibalistic, like modern-day priapulid worms. Ottoia sp. were 2.5 to 15 centimetres long. This worm is abundant in the Burgess Shale fossil bed in Field, British Columbia, Canada. The Burgess Shale is important because many soft-bodied animals were trapped and became fossilized in mud in the deep-sea
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6371567
© ALAN SIRULNIKOFF/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Ancient British Columbia Burrow Canada Canadian Field Fossil Invertebrate Fossilized Fossils Predator Preserved Substrate Worm Cannibal Palaeontology
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a remarkable fossil worm known as Ottoia sp. , discovered in the Burgess Shale area. Dating back over 500 million years to the Middle Cambrian era, this priapulid worm provides a fascinating glimpse into ancient marine life. The image captures the essence of this carnivorous predator, which resided in U-shaped burrows within sediment on the seabed. The most striking feature of Ottoia sp. is its extended proboscis, visible in the lower left corner of the photograph. This elongated structure allowed the worm to hunt for prey and devour it head first. Astonishingly, examination of gut contents from fossils has revealed that these creatures were cannibalistic, much like their modern-day counterparts. Ranging from 2.5 to 15 centimeters long, Ottoia sp. was abundant within the Burgess Shale fossil bed located in Field, British Columbia, Canada. This site holds immense scientific significance due to its preservation of numerous soft-bodied animals that became trapped and fossilized in deep-sea mud. As we marvel at this well-preserved specimen captured by Science Photo Library, we are reminded of our connection to Earth's ancient past and how exploration into paleontology continues to unveil extraordinary secrets about prehistoric life forms inhabiting our planet millions of years ago.
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