Giant Sea Creature: 7-Foot Aegirocassis Benmoulae Hints At Arthropod Evolution [PHOTOS]
The fossils of a giant sea creature have scientists digging into Earth's Ordovician past.
New three-dimensional deposits found in Morocco have allowed scientists to take an unprecedented look at Aegirocassis benmoulae, a form of arthropod known as a anomalocaridids.
The fossil record previously led researches to believe that this creature was really three separate entities, according to Scientific American, but the new Moroccan discovery has confirmed that the Aegirocassis benmoulae was one creature with spiny head appendages, circular tooth mouth, and a long body.
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Clocking in at 2 meters long, it is believed that the Aegirocassis benmoulae was the largest animal on earth some 480-million years ago. Now that scientists have these three-dimensional specimins, questions regarding the evolution of arthropods can be better understood, according to Science Now.
Research indicates that Aegirocassis benmoulae was a filter feeder, reports Science Mag, which means that they survived on tiny, millimeter sized creatures that they injected as they swam. Despite this, Aegirocassis is a formidable looking creature (see photo here), one which swimmers would be horrified to encounter today.
