Two newly discovered fossils are shedding light on the anatomy of the largest arthropod of all time – a millipede that lived between 346 million and 290 million years ago and grew longer than a king-sized bed. The millipede, known as Arthropleura, was first discovered in 1854, but it wasn’t until recently that scientists found a fossil that included the creature’s head.
The discovery of the head of Arthropleura is a significant milestone in paleontological research. Micro CT scans of the fossils, found in present-day France, have revealed never-before-seen details about the giant millipede’s anatomy, including its antennae, eyes, mandibles, and other feeding appendages. These findings have provided valuable insights into the evolution of Arthropleura, showing that it had a head more similar to a centipede than a modern millipede.
Despite its centipedelike features, Arthropleura is firmly placed in the millipede camp based on anatomical observations and phylogenomic data. The fossils also suggest that Arthropleura may have had a lifestyle that involved water, as indicated by its stalklike eyes. However, there is still much to learn about this ancient creature, including its diet, habitat, and growth patterns.
One of the lingering mysteries surrounding Arthropleura is whether both sexes grew to enormous sizes and how long it took juveniles to reach their full size. These questions remain unanswered, leaving room for future discoveries and research to uncover more about this fascinating giant millipede.
The recent findings have opened up new avenues for exploration and have sparked excitement among paleontologists. As scientists continue to study Arthropleura and other ancient creatures, who knows what the next new finding might reveal? The world of paleontology is full of surprises, and each discovery brings us closer to understanding the diversity and complexity of life on Earth millions of years ago.
