Why in News
A newly discovered Cambrian-era sea creature, Mosura fentoni, from Canada’s Burgess Shale, offers new insights into early arthropod evolution with its specialized swimming and respiratory features.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mosura fentoni |
| Time Period | Cambrian Era (541–485.4 million years ago) |
| Location Found | Burgess Shale fossil site, Canada |
| Taxonomy | Specialized radiodont, an early relative of modern arthropods |
| Anatomy | Segmented body, short neck, six paddle-shaped flaps for swimming |
| Respiration | Posterotrunk with gills; functioned as a respiratory tagma |
| Evolutionary Insight | Shows early segment specialization, key for arthropod diversity |
| Comparative Anatomy | Posterotrunk resembles gill structures in modern horseshoe crabs |
Significance
- Suggests that key arthropod traits like segment specialization and efficient respiration evolved earlier than previously believed.
- Enhances understanding of the evolutionary transition toward modern arthropods like insects and crustaceans.
Prelims Practice Questions
- consider the following statements regarding Mosura fentoni:
- It is a recently discovered trilobite from the Burgess Shale.
- It had specialized flaps for swimming and a respiratory posterotrunk.
- It is a direct ancestor of modern arthropods like insects and crabs.
- Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- a) 1 and 2 only
- b) 2 only
- c) 2 and 3 only
- d) 1, 2 and 3
- Answer: b) 2 only
- With reference to radiodonts
- They were ancient marine predators during the Cambrian period.
- They are early relatives but not direct ancestors of modern arthropods.
- Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- a) 1 only
- b) 2 only
- c) Both 1 and 2
- d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Answer: c) Both 1 and 2
