Scientists Discover Ancient ‘Giant’ Predator Worms from 500 Million Years Ago in Greenland

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have uncovered the fossils of a previously unknown group of animal predators in North Greenland’s Early Cambrian Sirius Passet fossil locality. These creatures, named Timorebestia, meaning ‘terror beasts’ in Latin, may represent some of the earliest carnivorous animals to inhabit the water more than 518 million years ago, shedding light on a previously unknown dynasty of predators.

Timorebestia, described in a paper published in Science Advances, reached lengths of over 30cm and had fins along its body, a distinctive head with long antennae, and formidable jaw structures inside its mouths. These features, along with their swimming abilities, made them one of the largest predators in the Early Cambrian era, similar in importance to modern oceanic predators like sharks and seals.

Timorebestia is a close relative of today’s arrow worms, which are minuscule predators primarily feeding on tiny zooplankton. Researchers found remnants of a common swimming arthropod called Isoxys inside the fossilized digestive system of Timorebestia, indicating their role at the top of the food chain.

The discovery offers crucial insights into the evolution of jawed predators and their connections to ancient organisms. The fossils found in Sirius Passet provide remarkable preservation, revealing details of the digestive system, muscle anatomy, and nervous systems of these ancient creatures. This discovery enhances our understanding of the evolution of arrow worms and their place in the ancient ecosystem.