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According to new research published today, ancient deep-sea creatures called radiodont had an incredible vision that likely led an evolutionary arms race.
The international study, led by Professor John Paterson of the University of New England’s Palaeoscience Research Center, in collaboration with the University of Adelaide, the South Australian Museum and the Natural History Museum (UK), found that radiodont developed sophisticated eyes for over 500 million years ago, with some adapted to the dim light of deep waters.
‘Our study provides fundamental new insights into the evolution of early marine animal ecosystems,’ said Professor Paterson. “In particular, it supports the idea that vision played a crucial role during the Cambrian explosion, a pivotal phase in history where most major groups of animals first appeared during a rapid burst of evolution beyond half a billion years ago “.
The Radiodont, which means “teeth that radiate”, are a group of arthropods that dominated the oceans some 500 million years ago. The many species share a similar body structure which includes a head with a pair of large segmented appendages for catching prey, a circular mouth with serrated teeth, and a squid-like body. It now seems likely that some lived at depths of up to 1000 meters and developed large, complex eyes to compensate for the lack of light in this extreme environment.
‘When complex visual systems were created, animals could better perceive their surroundings,’ explained Professor Paterson. “This may have fueled an evolutionary arms race between predators and prey. Once established, the vision became a driving force in evolution and helped shape the biodiversity and ecological interactions we see today. “
Some of the earliest radiodont fossils discovered more than a century ago were isolated body parts, and early reconstruction attempts led to “Frankenstein’s monsters”.
But over the past few decades, many new discoveries – including entire radiodont bodies – have provided a clearer picture of their anatomy, diversity, and possible lifestyles.
The co-author, Associate Professor Diego García-Bellido of the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Museum, said that the rich fossil hoard of Emu Bay Shale on Kangaroo Island in South Australia in particular has contributed to build a clearer picture of the earliest animals on Earth.
“The Emu Bay Shale is the only place in the world that keeps eyes with Cambrian radiodon lenses. The more than thirty specimens of eyes that we have now, have shed new light on the ecology, behavior and evolution of these, the largest animals alive half a billion years ago ”, A / Prof. García-Bellido said.
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