Tag Archives: Devonian

Unveiling the Giant Scorpion: The Apex Predator of Ancient Britain in the Devonian Period

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Paleontologists have recently confirmed that Praacturus gigas is the largest scorpion ever discovered, having roamed the shallow seas during the Devonian period, approximately 415 million years ago.

Praacturus gigas. Image credit: Franz Anthony.

This ancient creature measured approximately 1 meter (3.3 ft) long and boasted formidable pincers over 16 centimeters (6.3 inches) in length. According to Praacturus gigas, it was a powerful predator that thrived in floodplain ecosystems during its time.

Originally identified as an isopod in 1871, Praacturus gigas was later reclassified after comparisons with various arthropod groups and featured in a limited edition illustration of a giant scorpion from the 1980s.

Lead author Dr. Richard Howard, curator of fossil arthropods at the Natural History Museum in London, stated, “When people think of giant arthropods, they often envision the Carboniferous rainforests of Earth’s late history, where massive insects like millipedes and dragonflies thrived.”

However, Praacturus gigas existed at least 50 million years prior to that era, in a time when large terrestrial life was just beginning to take shape.

“Confirming that this creature is indeed a scorpion significantly alters our understanding of the evolution and growth of these astonishing animals,” added Dr. Howard.

In a groundbreaking study, Dr. Howard and his team employed modern analytical methods and fossil comparisons, concluding that Praacturus gigas is accurately classified as a scorpion.

Co-author Dr. Russell Garwood, a paleontologist at the University of Manchester, commented, “Praacturus gigas has baffled paleontologists for over a century. Our collaboration, utilizing advanced imaging techniques, has allowed us to construct a much clearer understanding of these ancient creatures.”

“What’s particularly intriguing about Praacturus gigas is its significant size during an epoch when most life forms on land were quite small. This suggests an ecosystem capable of supporting giant predators,” he added.

To gain insights into this ancient ecosystem, the research team compared scorpion fossils with other contemporaneous fauna.

The findings indicate that Praacturus gigas likely inhabited aquatic environments, where larger life forms were more prevalent.

During the early Devonian period, complex terrestrial ecosystems were in their infancy; only simple plants and fungi had begun to populate the land.

This means that, unlike later megafauna, this giant scorpion did not benefit from the elevated oxygen levels found in more advanced forested environments.

Instead, its large size may have been a result of limited competition from other sizable predators.

Fossil evidence also suggests that Praacturus gigas may have had a semi-aquatic lifestyle.

Co-author Dr. Greg Edgecombe, also a paleontologist at the Natural History Museum in London, remarked, “Back then, the distinction between land and sea was far less defined. Praacturus gigas gives us a fascinating glimpse into how early animals adapted to these shifting environments.”

“This species may even represent a lineage that returned to aquatic life after its ancestors had already commenced living on land,” he noted.

The team’s paper was published in the latest issue of Paleontology.

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Richard J. Howard et al. 2026. Revised classification of Praacturus gigas: A giant scorpion from the Lower Devonian (Rochkovian) of Britain. Paleontology 69 (3): e70064; doi: 10.1111/pala.70064

Source: www.sci.news

Mysterious Brazilian Fossil Reveals Widespread Presence of Lichens in the Early Devonian Period

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Paleontologists have discovered a specimen dating back 410 million years: cavernous cavernosa nanum. This lichen is one of the oldest and most extensively distributed in the fossil record and was found in Brazil’s Paraná Basin, specifically within the Ponta Grossa Formation.

Artistically reconstructed cavernous cavernosa nanum from the Early Devonian, depicting high-latitude sedimentary systems of the Paraná Basin. Image credit: J. Lacerda.

The colonization of land and the evolution of complex terrestrial ecosystems rank among the most significant evolutionary milestones in the history of life.

This phenomenon greatly affected terrestrial and marine ecosystems, leading to the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide, enhanced weathering, nutrient absorption in oceans, soil formation, and the emergence of major groups of terrestrial animals.

It is well-established that early plants played a crucial role in land colonization, particularly in establishing the first plant communities.

The earliest records of ancient land plants appear in the form of cryptospores from the Middle Ordovician, around 460 million years ago. The first macrofossils of vascular plants are found in Silurian deposits dating from approximately 443 to 420 million years ago.

Despite this, the specific role and presence of lichens during various stages of terrestrialization remain uncertain.

“cavernous cavernosa nanum displays a partnership of fungi and algae akin to modern lichens,” noted Dr. Bruno Becker Kerber from Harvard University.

“Our research illustrates that lichens are not merely peripheral organisms; they were vital pioneers in reshaping Earth’s terrain.”

“They contributed to the soil formation that enabled the colonization and diversification of plants and animals on land.”

Morphology and internal structure of cavernous cavernosa nanum. Image credit: Becker-Kerber et al., doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adw7879.

Findings indicate that ancient lichens originated in the cold polar regions of the Gondwana supercontinent, now known as parts of modern-day South America and Africa.

“cavernous cavernosa nanum is a remarkable fossil, preserved in an incredible state. Essentially, they are mummified with their organic matter intact,” remarked Professor Jochen Brocks from the Australian National University.

“In simple plants, the tough component is cellulose. In contrast, lichens are unique; they consist of chitin, the same material that gives insects like beetles their strength.”

“Chitin contains nitrogen. In our analyses, cavernous cavernosa nanum yielded an unprecedented nitrogen signal.”

“Such clear results are rare. It was a true Eureka moment.”

“Today, lichens continue to be vital in soil creation, nutrient recycling, and carbon capture in extreme environments spanning from deserts to the polar regions.”

“Yet, due to their delicate structure and infrequent fossil records, their origins remain elusive.”

“This research underscores the necessity of blending traditional techniques with innovative technology,” explained Dr. Nathalie L. Alchira, a researcher at the Synchrotron Light Institute in Brazil.

“Preliminary measurements enabled us to identify crucial areas of interest and collect 3D nanometer imaging for the first time, unveiling the intricate fungal and algal networks that define cavernous cavernosa nanum as a true lichen.”

The team’s study was published in this week’s edition of Scientific Advances.

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Bruno Becker-Kerber et al. 2025. The role of lichens in the colonization of terrestrial environments. Scientific Advances 11(44); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adw7879

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient coelacanth fossil from the Devonian era discovered in Australia

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Living Coelacanth Latimeria Coelacanths are iconic “living fossils,” one of the most conservative groups of vertebrates. Now, paleontologists have described a new species of primitive coelacanth from fossils discovered in the Late Devonian Gogo Formation of Western Australia. Ngamgawi WirungariThe 375-million-year-old fossil fish fills an important transitional period in the differentiation and evolution of coelacanths.

Reconstructing your life Ngamgawi WirungariImage courtesy of Katrina Kenny.

coelacanth It is an evolutionarily unique lobe-finned fish that first appeared in the fossil record during the Early Devonian period, approximately 419 million years ago.

More than 175 species of coelacanth fossils are known from the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras.

During the Mesozoic era, they diversified greatly, with some species developing unusual body shapes.

But at the end of the Cretaceous period, about 66 million years ago, they mysteriously disappeared from the fossil record.

The end-Cretaceous extinction, caused by a giant asteroid impact, wiped out about 75% of all life on Earth, including the non-avian dinosaurs.

It was therefore assumed that the coelacanth was also a victim of the same mass extinction.

However, in 1938, the first specimen of this species was discovered. Latimeria chalumnae It was caught by chance in South Africa.

The second known species, Latimeria menadoensisIt lives off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Specimen Ngamgawi WirungariImage courtesy of John A. Long.

“Our study calls into question the idea that extant coelacanths are the oldest 'living fossils,'” said Professor Richard Cloutier, a vertebrate paleontologist at the University of Quebec.

“It first appeared in the geological record more than 410 million years ago, with fragmentary fossils found in places such as China and Australia.”

“But most of the early forms are poorly known. Ngamgawi Wirungari It is the best known of the Devonian coelacanths.

“As we slowly fill in the gaps, we can see how extant coelacanth species are LatimeriaAlthough they are commonly thought of as “living fossils,” they are in fact constantly evolving and may not deserve this enigmatic title.”

Specimen Ngamgawi Wirungari It was discovered in the Late Devonian Go Go Formation Gooniyandi Country in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia.

Although now covered by a dry rock outcrop, around 380 million years ago the formation was part of an ancient tropical coral reef teeming with more than 50 species of fish.

Coelacanth phylogenetic relationships and divergence dates. Image courtesy of Clement others., doi:10.1038/s41467-024-51238-4.

“Ngamgawi Wirungari “This discovery gives us great insight into the early anatomy of the lineage that ultimately led to humans,” said Professor John Long, from Flinders University.

“Over 35 years, the Gogo site has yielded some perfectly preserved 3D fish fossils and many other important discoveries, including petrified soft tissue and the origin of complex sexual reproduction in vertebrates.”

“The study of this new species has allowed us to analyse the evolutionary history of all known coelacanths.”

“We calculated evolutionary rates over 410 million years of history,” they said.

“This study reveals that the evolution of coelacanths has slowed significantly since the time of the dinosaurs, with some intriguing exceptions.”

of Survey results Published in a journal Nature Communications.

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Alice M. Clement othersLate Devonian coelacanths reconstruct phylogeny, differentiation and evolutionary dynamics of Actinobacteria. Nature Communicationsin press; doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-51238-4

Source: www.sci.news

Arkansas Unearths Fossil of Devonian Era Shark

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A team of paleontologists from California State Polytechnic University and others has described a new genus and species of shark-like fish from the Fayetteville Shale in late Mississippi, Arkansas.

Reconstruction by artist Cosmoserax meringii. Image credit: American Museum of Natural History.

The newly described species lived in the Devonian seas, about 326 million years ago.

named Cosmoserax meringii This is one of many well-preserved shark fossils discovered from oil-producing seas. fayetteville shale formation Stretching from southeastern Oklahoma to northwestern Arkansas, it has been studied for many years for its well-preserved invertebrate and plant fossils.

“These creatures are part of an ecosystem that recovered after the mass extinction of fish communities at the end of the Devonian period, so they're part of the cartilaginous fish family, which includes all sorts of strange anatomy not seen in modern sharks. We're at a point where the morphological diversity of the species is astonishing,” said Dr. Alison Bronson, a researcher at California State Polytechnic Institute.

fossil of Cosmoserax meringii It was collected by Professors Royal and Gene Mapes of Ohio University in the 1970s.

Dr. Bronson and his colleagues performed a CT scan of the specimen and digitally reconstructed it.

They spent months studying to describe its anatomy, which includes dozens of tiny pieces of cartilage.

Once the reconstruction is complete, they Cosmoserax meringii In the early cartilaginous fish tree of life.

Cosmoserax meringii It was photographed in the 1970s and positioned so that the throat, jaw, and underside of the pectoral fins are visible. Image credit: Royal Mapes.

The authors found that this new species plays an important role in understanding the evolution of a mysterious group called green sea turtles. Shinmori form.

“This group has been alternately associated with sharks and mousefish, and different researchers have reached different conclusions,” they said.

“Cosmoserax meringii Most have shark-like features, but with long pieces of cartilage forming gill operculae, which are only seen today in ratfish.”

of study It was published in the magazine geodiversity.

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AW Bronson other. 2024. A new gilllike simoliform chondrich from the Late Mississippian Fayetteville Shale (Arkansas, USA). geodiversity 46 (4): 101-117; doi: 10.5252/geodiversitas2024v46a4

Source: www.sci.news