
3D laser scanning of the sample, Uncus dzaugisi
Mary L. Droser
A worm-like creature preserved in ancient rock has just been identified as the oldest relative of insects, spiders and crustaceans.
Ecdyzozoans are a group of invertebrate animals that have a hard outer covering or cuticle, which they shed as they grow. It is clear that the evolutionary strategy is successful, because today the group has millions of species. “Some estimates suggest that half of all known animal species are ecdysozoans,” he says. Ian Hughes at Harvard University. All arthropods – incl insects and spiders – be part of the team, and also…