Newly found ancient predator named after iconic movie monster
Scientists from Canada have discovered a new species of extinct marine crustacean from 506 million years ago. The three-eyed predator was named after a Japanese movie monster.
Researchers from the Royal Ontario Museum and the Manitoba Museum in Canada announced the discovery of a new species of extinct marine crustacean that lived 506 million years ago. The fossils of this three-eyed predator date back to the Cambrian period and were described in the "Royal Society Open Science" journal.
The discovery took place at the Burgess Shale paleontological site, located in Canada's Yoho National Park. It is one of the most important sites in the world for Cambrian period fossils, having been discovered back in 1909. This find provides valuable information about the Cambrian explosion, a rapid increase in the diversity of life forms about 540–500 million years ago.
The newly discovered species was named Mosura fentoni, after the movie monster Mothra, known from Japanese kaiju films such as Godzilla. Although the crustacean measured only 2 inches, its wing-like lateral appendages helped it swim.
Unique features of Mosura fentoni
Mosura fentoni was distinguished by several features that set it apart from other Cambrian organisms of the Radiodonta order. The crustacean had a third eye located centrally on its head, which helped it navigate the water during quick maneuvers. The animal's body was divided into 26 trunk segments, a record among known Radiodonta representatives.
Scientists determined that the predator had a pair of spiny arms and a circular mouth opening surrounded by teeth. With these arms, it could grasp and hold prey, moving it toward the mouth opening. Mosura fentoni also had an open circulatory system, where the blood mixed with lymph to form hemolymph, which was released into body cavities, delivering nutrients and oxygen.
Palaeontologist Dr. Joseph Moysiuk, a co-author of the discovery, emphasized that Mosura fentoni represents a small yet highly specialized hunting organism—well adapted for rapid swimming, locating mobile prey, and capturing it efficiently.
This discovery is not only a new link in the evolution of the Radiodonta order, but also an important reference point for understanding the diversity of body segmentation in early arthropods. Dr. Jean-Bernard Caron, co-author of the paper, emphasized that the discovery may change perspectives on the evolutionary history of the extinct crustacean order.
