Paradox Worm' Xenoturbella Bocki Lacks Brain & Sex Organs, But Could Be Mankind's 'Progenito

Photo courtesy of sciencedaily.com The article “’Paradox Worm' Xenoturbella Bocki Lacks Brain & Sex Organs, But Could Be Mankind's 'Progenitor'” by Andres Jauregui of Huffington Post, describes the high possibility that a paradox worm can be more related to humans that many other more advanced organisms. This organism might belong to a branch of the animal family tree called deuterostomes. “Deuterostome development in animals, is a developmental...

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Jawless Vertebrae Had the World's Sharpest Teeth

Photo courtesy of rhyniechert.com  This article was about a vertebra named a Conodont. It is recorded to have the sharpest teeth of any animal that ever lived. Its teeth are barely thicker than a human hair; however their strength can compete with the strength of our human jaw. This vertebra evolved 500 million years ago and went extinct about 200 million years ago. This vertebra roamed the earth for longer than any other vertebra...

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Some Echinoderms Will Never Grow Up

photo courtesy of deepseanews.com In life, people think of being “immature” or not growing up as a bad thing. But in this case, for species like echinoderms, it can be advantageous. Xyloplax is an example of an Echinoderm that has adapted to its preferred environment. The article goes on to name list the five living examples of Echinoderms and some examples of each. When Xyloplax was first discovered, it apparently did not fit into any of the...

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Ancient Creature was a miniature monster

Photo courtesy of http://palaeos.com A 500 million year old monster looking predator was discovered in the deposits of Canada. The first clues of the monster fossil were described 100 years ago and scientists thought it to be a crustacean animal, however, now its clear that Hurdia is a large predatory animal, half a meter in length with a segmented body and a head with spiny claws and a circular jaw with teeth. It is extremely rare to...

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500-million-year-old sea creature unearthed

Photo Courtesy of nbcnews.com Scientists have discovered a 520-million-year-old preserved fossil of an arthropod known as a fuxhianhuiid. This is one of the earliest animal fossils discovered, however it is not the first fuxhianhuiid fossil discovered but it is the best example of this arthropod because it shows the internal organs. This arthropod displays primitive limbs under its head and a nervous system that goes beyond the head, which...

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Zoologger: The Largest Arthropod to prowl the land

Among the beautiful beaches and gigantic waves in Palmyra atoll, just south of Hawaii, a big creature waits his chance to emerge as the sun goes down. The creature is known as the Coconut Crab, species Birgus latro, and it is Earth’s largest land arthropod. The beast’s measurements are shocking with length up to 40 centimeters and a leg span of 90 centimeters. Although most of its other large competitors live in the ocean, the Coconut Crab...

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