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.
Comments
Be the first to add a comment to this article.
You must be logged in to comment.
Related Content
January 14, 2010, 1:41AM
Coral reefs have a higher evolutionary rate than other habitats, study finds more
August 16, 2009, 3:07AM
The partial remains of an ancient toothed whale species that roamed the ocean five million years ago have been discovered on a more
May 4, 2009, 1:00AM
The oldest seahorse fossils discovered to date have been uncovered in pictures. National Geographic has the images on their more
May 2, 2009, 1:00AM
Scientists obtained records from the present back in time to the warmest sustained "greenhouse" period on Earth, which took place more
April 24, 2009, 1:00AM
Fossilised corals from tropical Tahiti show that the behaviour of ice sheets is much more volatile and dynamic than previously more
Sponsors
Dive Industry News
Participants in PADI Public Safety Diver workshop help recover stolen vehicleDAN Alert Diver magazine now available for Android usersFirst recipient of the Richard A. Hartley Scholarship AnnouncedAtlantis Azores announces new Philippines departures, itinerariesDive Pirates to stage DIVEAPALOOZA this weekend in Texas
What's New
