A Cambrian larva offers a glimpse into arthropod evolution

[Halichoeres]

An unusual 3d-preserved stem-euarthropod, interpreted as a larva, has just been described from the Cambrian of China. The fossil shows a well-developed head and hemolymph system, suggesting that these traits appeared pretty early in the evolution of arthropods.

Some scans of the fossil, Youti yuanshi:


Open access in Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07756-8

[Halichoeres]

Some news coverage: https://www.livescience.com/animals/my-jaw-just-dropped-500-million-year-old-larva-fossil-found-with-brain-preserved