January 28, 2021
In 20-million-=year-old rock off the coast of Taiwan, researchers have discovered what they think is the fossilized burrow of a giant, predatory sand worm.
Researchers have found evidence of large predatory worms some as long as 6.5 feet (2 meters) that roamed the ocean floor near Taiwan over 20 million years ago. The finding is the result of reconstructing an unusual trace fossil that they identified as a burrow of these ancient worms.
Geologists discovered the peculiar giant L-shaped trace fossil – a geological feature, like track marks or a burrow – in a 20-million-year old layer of rock on the northeast coast of Taiwan. In a three-year investigation, an international research team reconstructed the unusual fossil and reached the conclusion that the trace fossil was the burrow of an extinct predatory worm that would surface from the ocean floor to grab prey and drag it into its lair.
Scientists Identify Fossils of Six-Foot-Long Ancient Worms
Twitter
Tremors, there’s no doubt the slimy wigglers are an archetypal nightmare. Which makes sense, as there are plenty of legitimately terrifying and gross worms in real life. There are also some deadly ones, as is the case with a newly announced 20-million-year old, six-foot-long ocean-dwelling worm – one with a currently living relative.
A team of scientists just announced the discovery of the 20-million-year-old worms, fossils of which paleontologist, Masakazu Nara, of Kochi University in Japan, discovered in 2013. Nara discovered the fossils while searching for impressions of stingray feeding behavior in rock in a coastal region of Taiwan when he stumbled upon these wormy imprints. (We all know how that goes!)
SFU researchers delve into mystery of ancient giant sandworms - BC News castanet.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from castanet.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.