Displaying as a finely preserved fossil, this “terror monster” may have been the apex predator of the Cambrian period.
Described in the scientific journal Science Advances, paleontologist Jakov Vinther from the University of Bristol (UK) and his colleagues report that what they refer to as the “terror monster” is a giant marine worm with an extremely fearsome jaw.
Portrait of the Cambrian “terror monster” – (Graphic: Bob Nicholls).
This creature lived during the early Cambrian period (541 to 485.4 million years ago), swimming skillfully thanks to two rows of fins along its body and a pair of long antennae. It has been named Timorebestia koprii, a completely new species.
The specimen, excavated from the “ice island” of Greenland, measures just 30 cm in length; however, this is a gigantic size compared to the fauna of the Cambrian period.
Paleontologist Jakov Vinther and the rock slab containing the half-billion-year-old fossil – (Photo provided by the subject).
The Cambrian period was known as the era of the “biological explosion” of Earth, marking a time when a multitude of complex life forms emerged, differing vastly from the monotonous primitive organisms that preceded it.
This evolutionary leap also brought about some of the strangest monsters the Earth has ever seen. Although most of them are now extinct, they laid the groundwork for the life forms we see today.
The “terror monster” recently named Timorebestia koprii serves as an excellent representative of that era.
Using electron beams, scientists have discovered a surprisingly well-preserved nervous system within the fossil,
which includes a large nerve center known as the ventral ganglion, helping the creature control its movements very effectively.
This monster also possesses jaws inside its head, unlike related species today, which typically use hard bristles on the outside of their heads to catch prey.
Its flexible movement, terrifying jaws, and size considerably larger than other Cambrian organisms lead scientists to conclude that this creature may have been the top predator of the world half a billion years ago, essentially at the top of the food chain.
