New species "Mosura fentoni" unveils Cambrian predator secrets
Scientists from Canada have discovered a new species of extinct marine crustacean from 506 million years ago. The three-eyed predator has been named after a Japanese movie monster.
Researchers from the Royal Ontario Museum and the Manitoba Museum in Canada have announced the discovery of a new species of extinct marine crustacean that lived 506 million years ago. The fossils of this three-eyed predator date back to the Cambrian period, and the find has been detailed in the journal "Royal Society Open Science."
The discovery occurred at the Burgess Shale fossil site, located in Canada’s Yoho National Park. It is one of the most significant sites globally for Cambrian period fossils, first discovered in 1909. The find provides valuable insights into the Cambrian explosion, a rapid diversification of life forms approximately 540–500 million years ago.
The newly discovered species has been named Mosura fentoni, after the movie monster Mothra, known from Japanese kaiju films like Godzilla. Although the crustacean measured only about 5 centimetres, its wing-like lateral extensions facilitated swimming.
Unique characteristics of Mosura fentoni
Mosura fentoni distinguished itself with several features that set it apart from other Cambrian organisms in the order Radiodonta. The crustacean had a third eye located centrally on its head, aiding in water navigation and quick manoeuvres. The creature's body was divided into 26 thoracic segments, the most among known Radiodonta representatives.
Scientists determined that the predator had a pair of spiked arms and a round mouth surrounded by teeth. With its arms, it could grasp and hold prey, moving it towards its mouth. Mosura fentoni also had an open circulatory system, where blood mixed with lymph to form hemolymph, which was released into body cavities to deliver nutrients and oxygen.
Palaeontologist Dr. Joseph Moysiuk, a co-author of the discovery, emphasized that Mosura fentoni represents a small yet highly specialized hunting organism—well adapted for rapid swimming, locating mobile prey, and capturing it efficiently.
This discovery is not only a new link in the evolution of the order Radiodonta, but also an important reference point for understanding the diversity of body segmentation in early arthropods. Dr. Jean-Bernard Caron, co-author of the study, noted that the discovery could change views on the place of the extinct order of crustaceans in the evolutionary history of marine organisms.
