Title: Apex Predator of the Cambrian Likely Sought Soft Over Crunchy Prey
Subtitle: Biomechanical study reveals unexpected hunting behavior of Anomalocaris canadensis
Date: July 5, 2023
A groundbreaking biomechanical study on the arachnid-like front “legs” of Anomalocaris canadensis, an extinct apex predator, has uncovered surprising results. Contrary to previous assumptions, this 2-foot (60 centimeter) marine animal was likely much weaker and primarily targeted soft prey in the open water rather than crushing hard-shelled creatures on the ocean floor. Published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, this research sheds light on the true nature of one of the largest animals to have lived during the Cambrian period.
Anomalocaris canadensis, colloquially known as the “weird shrimp from Canada,” has long been believed to be responsible for the scarred and crushed trilobite exoskeletons found in the fossil record. However, lead author Russell Bicknell, a postdoctoral researcher at the American Museum of Natural History’s Division of Paleontology, questioned this assumption due to the stark difference in the strength of trilobite exoskeletons and the softness of Anomalocaris’ body composition.
To investigate the predator’s hunting capabilities, the research team, composed of scientists from various countries, utilized 3D reconstructions of A. canadensis based on exceptionally preserved fossils found in Canada’s 508-million-year-old Burgess Shale. By comparing the predator’s segmented appendages to those of modern whip scorpions and whip spiders, the team discovered that the appendages were capable of grasping prey, stretching, and flexing.
Using a combination of finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics, the researchers demonstrated that the appendages would have suffered damage when attempting to catch hard prey like trilobites. These biomechanical modeling techniques, employed together for the first time in a scientific paper, showcased a different hunting behavior for A. canadensis. Instead of being a predator that could devour anything it desired, it is now believed that the animal relied on its speed and agility to pursue soft prey in the water column.
Bicknell emphasizes that the dynamics of Cambrian food webs were likely more complex than previously thought, challenging the notion of Anomalocaris as a generalist predator. The study opens up new avenues for understanding the ecological interactions during this ancient period.
This research underscores the importance of reassessing assumptions and utilizing advanced scientific techniques to gain deeper insights into ancient organisms. The findings not only provide a clearer understanding of Anomalocaris canadensis but also offer valuable knowledge for reconstructing the ecological relationships within the rich biodiversity of the Cambrian era.
Further information on the study can be found in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, with the publication titled “Raptorial appendages of the Cambrian apex predator Anomalocaris canadensis are built for soft prey and speed.”
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Source: American Museum of Natural History