Cambrian-era larva discovery sheds light on arthropod brain evolution

A discovery by scientists from Durham University provides valuable information on the evolution of arthropods. According to "Live Science," this larva, the size of a grain of sand, has been preserved in excellent condition, enabling a better understanding of how complex arthropod brains develop.

A discovery from half a billion years ago

Professor Martin Smith from Durham University, the study's lead author, emphasizes the difficulty of finding fossilized larvae due to their delicate structure. "When I used to daydream about the one fossil I'd most like to discover, I'd always be thinking of an arthropod larva because developmental data are just so central to understanding their evolution," said Smith, highlighting the find's significance.

The fossil was found in the Yu'anshan rock formation in Yunnan Province, China, and examined using X-ray radiation, which created three-dimensional images of the larva's internal structures.

"I already knew that this simple worm-like fossil was something special, but when I saw the amazing structures preserved under its skin, my jaw just dropped – how could these intricate features have avoided decay and still be here to see half a billion years later?" said the lead author of the study.

This find has allowed scientists to take a fresh look at the anatomy of early arthropods. The brains of these creatures were more advanced than previously thought, enabling them to develop various forms of life, including becoming more advanced predators.

Smith explained that when the brains of arthropods developed, they began to exhibit much more complex behaviours and even more intricate morphology. This, in turn, contributed to their rapid increase in diversity, which continues to this day.