Examining fossil specimens of the brain of the oldest arthropods, the scientist was able to identify the point in the evolution of animals when they began to form a head.

the British paleontologist Javier Ortega-hernández, examined the fossil specimens of the brain of the oldest arthropod creatures, was able to identify the point in the evolution of animals when they began to form a head. The study results were published in the journal Current Biology.

Image: Javier Ortega-Hernández

after Studying the fossilized remains of two extinct arthropods Helmetia expansa and Odaraia alata, the scientist was able to figure out these prehistoric creatures are some of the elements of the exoskeleton to which muscles are attached, reminiscent of primitive stalked eyes, and are connected by nerve fibers with the front part of the brain. the

According to the paleontologist, this suggests that arthropods found were beginning to form a head, as previously known ancestors of these creatures were more like worms. They had front and rear body parts, but all its structural units are slightly different from each other.

Ortega-Hernandez believed that found the fossils whose age is about 500 million years, not only helped to clarify the beginning of formation of head on creatures, but also indicates the first signs of the appearance of solid exoskeleton in arthropods, and the first skeleton in living organisms in General. 

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