Fossilized remains of a worm called Radnorscolex latus They were discovered in a Victorian quarry near the village of Leantwardin in Herefordshire, 10 km from Ludlow in the United Kingdom. About 425 million years ago, it lived in a deep-sea marine environment during the late Silurian period. History of Geography.
The scientists collected four samples London Natural History Museum (NHM) and The Cole Museum of Zoology at the University of Reading. Apart from those from Herefordshire, they also studied from Carmarthenshire in South Wales. They discovered that it had a “retractable” throat reminiscent of the giant worm seen in the famous movie Toon.. Not in fiction, but in nature, it is useful for trapping prey in sediment.
Dr Richie Howard, Curator of Fossil Arthropods at the National Museum of History, said: “They certainly make us think of sandworms in the dune…”, after explaining, “We thought they weren’t very keen when they were feeding. They probably buried their throats in the mud and grabbed whatever they could find”.
This is due to recent indications that they resemble creatures from the popular film The latest technological developments and analytical techniques in the field of paleontology are made available by the NHM. The researchers used an electron microscope X-ray Chest imaging to see the fossil in a new light and with unprecedented detail. This type of knowledge that brings a fossil to life was not available a century ago. Despite the fact that the discovery of the fossil was made a long time ago.
What are the similarities between the real and the fictional worm in Dune?
Although its size does not compare to the giant worm from Dune, the The actual creature is 8 cm length, according to recent paleontological analysis. however, For smaller creatures, it can seem like an equally terrifying predator.
The NHM explained its description of the worms’ behavior while foraging and feeding on prey: “oh Radnorscolex latus Its head includes a throat covered with rows of sharp teeth and hooks It pointed outwards to serve as an anchor as he dragged his body forward in an undulating motion.”
With this, it was able to attach itself to the bottom of the sea with rows of teeth and hooks on its head. Currently, except perhaps in fiction, they no longer exist. These species then became extinct in what geologists call the Laue Event in the middle of the Lutfordian.This happened about 400 million years ago.
