Callichimaera perplexa, the strangest crab that has ever existed

by



[ad_1]

The prehistoric crab dates back to 95 million years ago and scientists claim that it defies all the normal characteristics of crab. The new species, named Callichimaera perplexa, has curved claws, large eyes without alveoli, an apparent tail and mouth-like mouthparts.

"We started looking at these fossils and found that they had what looked like larvae eyes, shrimp muzzles, frog crab claws and a lobster shell," he said. Javier Luque, postdoctoral paleontologist at the University of Alberta and Yale University, in a statement from the University of Alberta. "We have an idea of ​​what a typical crab looks like – and these new fossils break all these rules."
A fossilized specimen of the new creature.

Due to the inadequacy of the body parts, it was therefore normal that the new species is named after a chimera: a mythological creature with a lion's head, a goat's body and a snake's tail. The full name of the new crab, Callichimaera perplexa, translates as "beautiful perplexed chimera". With unusual legs, Luque claimed to believe that the creature lived in the water, swimming more than crawling on dry land.

"Callichimaera perplexa is so unique and strange that it can be considered the platypus of the crab world," Luque said in a Yale press release. "Usually, we think that crabs are large animals with large shells, strong claws, small eyes in long locks and a small tail folded under the body.Well, Callichimaera defies all these characteristics" crabs "and strength to rethink our definition of what makes a crab a crab "

Luque led an international team of researchers who first discovered the fossilized crabs, no more than a quarter, in 2005 in the Andes, Colombia. Over the next few years, researchers have discovered more than 70 specimens of prehistoric crab, including babies and adults. Some have been discovered in Wyoming.

A study on the findings of the team was published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances.

"This discovery, from the middle of the Cretaceous, illustrates the fact that there are still surprising discoveries of newer and more strange organisms waiting to be discovered, especially in the tropics. ask yourself "what is there to discover?" "

[ad_2]

Source link