Abstract

Radiodonts evolved to become the largest nektonic predators in the Cambrian period, persisting into the Ordovician and perhaps up until the Devonian period. They used a pair of large frontal appendages together with a radial mouth apparatus to capture and manipulate their prey, and had evolved a range of species with distinct appendage morphologies by the Early Cambrian (approx. 521 Ma). However, since their discovery, there has been a lack of understanding about their basic functional anatomy, and thus their ecology. To explore radiodont modes of feeding, we have digitally modelled different appendage morphologies represented by Anomalocaris canadensis, Hurdia victoria, Peytoia nathorsti, Amplectobelua stephenensis and Cambroraster falcatus from the Burgess Shale. Our results corroborate ideas that there was probably a significant (functional and hence behavioural) diversity among different radiodont species with adaptations for feeding on differently sized prey (0.07 cm up to 10 cm). We argue here that Cambroraster falcatus appendages were suited for feeding on suspended particles rather than filtering sediment. Given the limited dexterity and lack of accessory feeding appendages as seen in modern arthropods, feeding must have been inefficient and 'messy', which may explain their subsequent replacement by crown-group arthropods, cephalopods and jawed vertebrates.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.