Unearthed from France, two remarkable fossils shed light on the anatomy of the largest arthropod ever known – a colossal millipede that existed over 300 million years ago. These fossils, examined through micro CT scans, provide unprecedented insights into the structure of this giant millipede, showcasing its antennae, eyes, mandibles, and other feeding parts. Contrary to previous assumptions about its appearance resembling modern millipedes, these findings reveal a more unique evolutionary path for Arthropleura.
“Arthropleura possesses characteristics of both millipedes and centipedes,” explains Lhéritier. Despite having a body similar to a millipede with two pairs of legs per segment, its head displays centipedelike features in terms of mouthparts. Through anatomical studies and genetic data analysis, Arthropleura is firmly classified within the millipede category by Lhéritier’s team.
Date: 2024-10-09 13:00:00
Source: Post from www.sciencenews.org