The anomalocaris has been the first marine big predator to appear on Earth. This invertebrate has been classified in the class of Dinocardidia, in the order of Radiodonta and in the family of Anomalocaridae.
Main picture link: https://linguaggio-macchina.blogspot.com/2011/12/occhi-di-anomalocaris-chiave-evolutiva.html
Where and when did the anomalocaris live?
Map link: https://burgessshaleanomalocaris.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/gl2019-project.jpg
The anomalocaris lived in the Paleozoic, more precisely between the earlier Cambrian and the Middle Cambrian (535-525 million years ago).
Its fossils have been found in China, Australia, Utah, Greenland and Canada.
How big was the anomalocaris?
Picture link: https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/a/anomalocaris.html
The anomalocaris was about 2 m long, 14-20 cm high and weighed 8 kg.
What made the anomalocaris unique?
The name "Anomalocaris" means literally "anomalous shrimp". The reason for this name is because it was related shrimps and other arthropods but from the outside it had anything in common with them.
The main characteristic of the anomalocaris were its prehensile and spiny appendages that protruded from the mouth and were used to grasp prey.
Another characteristic of this marine predator were the bulbous eyes placed on the peduncles.
The body was elongated and had 11 pairs of soft lobes useful for aquatic movement.
Was the anomalocaris a social or a solitary animal?
The anomalocaris used to live in small shoals.
What did the anomalocaris eat?
As we mentioned above, the anomalocaris was an apex predator. It hunted mainly the trilobites (who were ancestors of the arthropods too).
Who were the natural enemies of the anomalocaris?
The only true enemies of the anomalocaris were the specimens of its own species which it fight eachother for food, territory and mating.
Why is the anomalocaris extinct?
The reasons why the Anomalocaris is now considered extinct are mainly due to climate changes and the arrival of predators more advanced than it.
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