In News:

A new species named Mosurafentoni—a small, three-eyed sea predator—has been discovered in fossils dating back 506 million years. The findings were published in Royal Society Open Science.

Key Highlights:

• Time Period: Cambrian Period (approx. 506 million years ago)
• Classification: Belonged to Radiodonts, an extinct group related to modern-day arthropods like insects, spiders, and crustaceans.
• Unique Traits:
  • Three eyes – with a large third eye on the head.
  • Jointed claws – similar to crabs or insects, possibly used for capturing prey.
  • Swimming style – moved like a stingray using multiple undulating flaps; referred to as “flying underwater”.
  • Body structure – featured a trunk-like segment with 16 parts and gills, aiding respiration.
  • Mouth – circular, resembling a pencil sharpener lined with serrated plates for slicing prey.
  • Size – around the length of a human finger.
• Nickname: Dubbed the "Sea Moth" due to its flapping motion and size.

Ecological Role

• Likely fed on smaller marine organisms like worms and crustaceans.
• Possibly preyed upon by larger predators such as ancient jellyfish.

Evolutionary Significance

• Shows early arthropod diversity and evolutionary complexity.
• Body structure similarities with modern species like horseshoe crabs and woodlice suggest parallel evolutionary adaptations.
• Helps understand the transition from simple worm-like organisms to complex body plans in early marine ecosystems.