Ancient phallus worms were dangerous predators, but even they had to hide

In a new study, scientists reveal how these ancient creatures hid in cone-shaped shells.

chiolites, extinct marine invertebrates.This is evidenced by fossils that scientists carefully studied and published their findings in the journal Current Biology. Apparently, phallic worms were the first animals to hide in shells, hundreds of millions of years before the appearance of crustaceans.

The new discovery came as a real surprise toscientists. The researchers write that this type of “hermit” behavior was never observed in priapulids or any other species until the Mesozoic era (250–65 million years ago). Paleontologists are surprised that such complex behavior could have arisen so soon after the explosion of biodiversity - the Cambrian explosion.

In addition, the very fact that priapulidshaving to hide seems strange in itself. In ancient times, these animals were formidable predators. They were named after the ancient Greek god of fertility Priapus (Priapus) because of their external resemblance to the male genital organ. Their modern descendants live almost unnoticed in dirty burrows deep underwater. But fossils dating back to the early Cambrian show that penis-shaped worms were once a menace of ancient seas. Ancient priapulids were widespread throughout the world and had expanding mouths with fangs. They easily tore apart the sea creatures that got in their way. Even these fearsome worms had to get creative to escape the dangers of the ancient ocean, a new study has found.

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