Is a car as massive as this creature really possible? Well, a massive creature, much like this, once roamed the Earth around 340 million years ago.
Arthropleura’s head has now been identified, following its discovery.
Prior to this, scientists were able to discern the size of the creature’s head from fossilised exoskeletons, yet this did not shed further light on the Arthropleura’s facial features.
This discovery has finally shed light on the unknown link between this prehistoric arthropod and its modern relatives, which had previously left experts perplexed.
The Arthropleura lived during the late Paleozoic era in the forests close to the equator, roughly between 346 million and 290 million years ago.
In terms of size, the insect could reach a massive length of 8.5 feet and a weight of over 45kg. Contrary to its millipede-like features, recent research has shown that the insect’s head is more similar to that of a centipede.
In conjunction with studying the fossils, the team employed advanced CT scanning techniques to create a model of the creature’s head.
Since fossil discoveries have been made, scientists have confirmed that the head is spherical and has two short, bell-shaped antennae, as well as crab-like protruding eyes and a small mouth.
The creature’s head had an opening where it would shed its outer shell.
Lead author of the investigation Mickael Lheritier explained how this latest finding has allowed experts to learn more about the Arthropleura, saying: “We found that it had the body of a millipede, but the head of a centipede.”
In the meantime, the ancient two-inch-long fossils were found in a French coal field back in the 1980s, and CT scanning enabled the researchers to carry out their analysis without the risk of damaging them.
“We’ve been eager to learn about the appearance of this animal’s head for a very long time,” said James Lamsdell, a palaeobiologist who wasn’t involved in the study.
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