A study recently published in Scientific Reports a cambrian unarmoured lobopodian, †lenisambulatrix humboldti gen. et sp. nov., compared with new material of †diania cactiformis describes a new species of Cambrian (541-485 million years ago) leaf-legged animals — a worm-like animal with soft appendages.
Ou Qiang of the China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and Georg Mayer of the University of Kassel in Germany compared the new species named Lenisambulatrix humboldti with the previously described leaf-footed cactiformis and found some new details.
3D reconstruction of lenisambulatrix humboldti.
or & mayer
The authors point out that the shape and body segments of both species of leaf-legged animals are very similar, with thicker and longer appendages (leaf feet) that are about 11.6-18 mm long. Unlike other leaf-legged animals, both species appear to be clawless. However, the surface of the cactus's torso is covered with thorny armor, so it is nicknamed "walking cactus", but l. Humboldti's entire body appears to be devoid of armor.
A regular mold specimen of lenisambulatrix humboldti.
According to the authors, the bodies of the new species are segmented, tubular, similar to worms, and each segment has a pair of appendages. Only one end of the body of the new species has been preserved , and no distinctive features such as eyes , mouths , or tentacles that can be identified as the head have been found. In contrast, the part of the head of the supposed cactus diana has a distinctly helmet-like structure.
Detailed drawing of the leaf-footed cactus.
From the morphological characteristics of the two species, it is roughly judged that they once had a possible way of life. Because both are marine habitats, their clawless appendages may have been adapted to walking or crawling on the soft seabed. The thick armor of the cactus diane worm may help defend against predator attacks, while l. Humboldti's softer body may indicate that the individual has lived a life of seclusion, hiding in crevices or sponge groups to ward off the risk of prey.
srep|doi:10.1038/s41598-018-31499-y
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