3D laser scanning of specimens, Unkus Zaugishi
Mary L. Droser
A worm-like creature preserved in ancient rocks has been identified as the oldest known relative of insects, spiders and crustaceans.
Ecdymozoans are a group of invertebrates that have a tough outer skin, or epidermis, that they shed as they grow. This is clearly a successful evolutionary strategy, as this group now includes millions of species. “Some estimates suggest that about half of all known animal species are ecdymozoans.” Ian Hughes at Harvard University. All arthropods, including insects and spiders, belong to this group, as well as…
Source: www.newscientist.com
