After years of speculation, scientists have finally uncovered what the head of the largest bug to ever live looked like. This colossal creature, known as Arthropleura, grew up to nearly 9 feet (2.6 meters) long and weighed more than 100 pounds (50 kilograms). Fossil records had long left experts puzzled, as most of the remains were headless shells, discarded when the creatures molted.
For decades, researchers could only imagine what the head of this extinct, multi-legged monster might have looked like. These enormous arthropods — relatives of today’s crabs, spiders, and insects — shed their exoskeletons as they grew, escaping through a head opening, leaving fossil hunters with incomplete evidence.
Now, thanks to exceptionally well-preserved fossils of juveniles, scientists have produced a detailed reconstruction of the head. Described in a new study published in Science Advances, the head of Arthropleura was a mix of modern-day centipede and millipede characteristics. It featured a round bulbous head, short bell-shaped antennae, protruding eyes resembling those of a crab, and a small mouth designed for grinding leaves and bark.
“We discovered that it had the body of a millipede, but the head of a centipede,” said study co-author Mickael Lheritier, a paleobiologist at the University Claude Bernard Lyon in Villeurbanne, France.
While Arthropleura may have been the largest insect-like creature to ever live, some experts believe it may be rivaled by an extinct giant sea scorpion. Nevertheless, these colossal arthropods were among the most formidable creatures of their time, living around 300 million years ago.
Researchers used CT scans to study juvenile fossils found embedded in rocks from a French coal field in the 1980s. This allowed them to examine intricate details without damaging the fragile fossils, including parts of the head still encased in stone.
Though the juveniles measured only 2 inches (6 centimeters) in length, they provided crucial clues about the appearance of their enormous adult counterparts. These smaller fossils are thought to be closely related to the larger versions, offering a glimpse into the terrifying size and appearance of these ancient, multi-legged giants.
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