This isTamisiocaris borealis , a newly described fossilise creature from Greenland that endure around 520 million years ago . Like certain types of modern heavyweight , it own large appendages that were used to filter plankton and other small organisms from the ocean .
These fauna belonged to a group forebode anomalocarids . Anomalocarids were traditionally known as gargantuan apex predatory animal who used similar appendages as those possess byTamisiocaristo captivate great prey . Intriguingly , Tamisiocaris borealisseems to have in reality evolved its filter - feeding equipment from these prey - catching member during the Cambrian explosion , and it is therefore middling of an ancient equivalent to advanced - day temporary removal feeders . Why some of these animals undergo this dramatic changeover in feeding is undecipherable , but it has happened several other times in chronicle .
The finding have demonstrated not only the diversity of different anomalocaridid species , but have also shed lightness on some of the ocean ecosystem that existed during this menstruation . Lead author of the study publish today inNature , Dr Jakob Vinther , say in a press release " The fact that gravid , free - swimming abeyance feeder roamed the ocean tells us a lot about the ecosystem . Feeding on the smallest subatomic particle by filtering them out of the water while actively swimming around necessitate a lot of energy- and therefore band of solid food . "
A 3D computer animation of the animal was generated by Dr Martin Stein of the University of Copenhagen , in the hope of gaining insight into how these specialized extremity were utilized to feed . " Tamisiocariswould have been a sweep last feeder , collecting particles in the fine internet form when it curled its extremity up against its rima oris , " said Dr. Stein . " This is a rare instance when you’re able to actually say something concrete about the feeding ecology of these type of ancient creatures with some trust . "
The expeditions carry out in this orbit have revealed a gold mine of fossil just waitress to be characterise by scientists . Who knows what other exciting discovery may be in the pipeline .
