Cambrian Period Crustaceans First To Exhibit Collective Behavior
By Matt J. Weiss, October 13, 2008 @ 02:00 AM (EST)
The Cambrian period has produced another arthropods discovery, this time with very interesting behavior. A research team in Cambrian fossil hot spot Yunnan, China have recently found fossils of 525 million year shrimp like animals that are forming chains.
This is the earliest known animal to exhibit collective behavior. Apparently, the shrimp like animal would stick its tail under the carapace of another animal forming chains of about 20 members.
The researchers think that the collective behavior could be for safety while migration – either vertically to feed or to get to new habitat. However, there is much mystery surrounding the find, including the exact reason why the animals chained up and how they even swam.
This is the earliest known animal to exhibit collective behavior. Apparently, the shrimp like animal would stick its tail under the carapace of another animal forming chains of about 20 members.
The researchers think that the collective behavior could be for safety while migration – either vertically to feed or to get to new habitat. However, there is much mystery surrounding the find, including the exact reason why the animals chained up and how they even swam.
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