425-Million-Year-Old Marine Worm Unearthed in Herefordshire Was a Carnivorous Predator [Study]

The remains of an ancient marine worm were found, and it hinted that the animal was a carnivorous predator.

Prehistoric Marine Worm

In a new study, scientists have discovered that an ancient worm found in Herefordshire was a predatory predator that stuck out its throat to grab and consume victims. The animal, known as Radnorscolex latus, was discovered in the village of Leintwardine, close to the Welsh border, at a former Victorian quarry.

It is estimated that this marine worm existed on the ocean floor 425 million years ago when the area was submerged. According to analysis, it possessed a retractable throat that it could use to reach the seafloor and snatch up prey that was concealed by the sediment.

Radnorscolex reminds Dr. Richie Howard, curator of fossil arthropods at the Natural History Museum, of the huge worms in the famous Hollywood film "Dune."

Howard thought they were not too particular about eating, probably just sticking their throats out into the mud and grabbing hold of anything they could. In that sense, they remind him of the sandworms in Dune.

Even though Radnorscolex fossil remains were initially found a century ago, paleontologists could not investigate them thoroughly due to insufficient technology.

Modern imaging methods were employed by specialists from the Natural History Museum in London to examine the remains.

The discovery revealed that the Radnorscolex possessed hooks on its head and rows of pointed teeth, which it would have used to secure itself to the ground and propel itself forward.

Howard thought they were not too particular when it came to eating, probably just sticking their throats out into the mud and grabbing hold of anything they could. In that sense, they remind you of the sandworms in Dune.

Radnorscolex, according to the researchers, is a member of the extinct Palaeoscolecids, a group of worm-like organisms that went extinct around 400 million years ago due to rapid climate change and sea level rise.

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New Marine Worm Species

In March, researchers discovered a new species of marine worm. Greg Rouse of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography identified the new find as Pectinereis strickrotti.

It is said to be the 48th new species that scientists have discovered growing close to methane seeps off Costa Rica's coast, an environment previously thought to be too unfriendly for life to persist.

Rouse claims scientists have worked for years to uncover and describe the species in the deep waters. More new species have been found than scientists have had time to name and characterize. This just serves to highlight the enormous quantity of undiscovered species out there. As a result, he believes that they should both protect and keep exploring the deep oceans.

Rouse and his colleague Bruce Strickrott-the main pilot of the deep-sea submersible Alvin, after whom the worm was named into touch with the new species during a crewed dive off the coast of Costa Rica approximately 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) in 2009.

Per Strickrott, they saw two worms swimming just off the bottom, roughly the distance of a sub's length apart and near one another. They couldn't see them, so they tried to sneak in for a closer look, but they scared the creatures away.

They were taken aback to find the same marine worms when they visited the exact location in 2018. Six of them were already swaying openly in the water during the tour. At the time, they could approach and observe the species successfully.