Terrifying 300 million year old "monster centipede" as big as a car

(NLDO) - Two monsters trapped in an ancient rock in France have helped scientists complete the description of the largest arthropod that ever existed on earth.

Using CT scans, scientists have successfully reconstructed the heads of two ancient Arthropleura monsters in a rock block at the Montceau-les-Mines Lagerstätte fossil mine (France).

Thanks to that, after more than a century since it was known, the portrait of this mysterious creature has been completed by paleontologists.

3D reconstruction of the fossil head of a monster centipede found in France - Photo: Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

The fossils of two Arthropleura in France are dated to around 300 million years old, as this group of creatures is thought to have existed from around 346 million years ago (early Carboniferous) to 290 million years ago (early Diplodocus).

In the oxygen-rich atmosphere of the time, Arthropleura could grow to 2.6 m in length, leading scientists to describe them as monster cars.

The bodies of monster centipedes can be up to 2.6 m long - Photo: Claude Bernard Lyon University 1

Speaking to Live Science, paleontologist Mickaël Lheritier from Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University (France), a member of the research team, said that although Arthropleura was described a long time ago, for more than 100 years, the description has not been complete because it lacks a head.

"Now with the complete head - the lower jaw, the eyes and these features - it can help us understand where this creature is in evolution," said Dr Lheritier.

Previously, its physical features led scientists to suspect that it was closely related to modern centipedes. Now, thanks to new anatomical features, they have officially confirmed it.

However, it still carries hybrid traits with other animal groups that scientists will need to continue studying to find answers.

Most striking is its stalked eyeball, a feature never seen in the centipede family, but rather resembles more semi-aquatic or aquatic animals, such as crustaceans.

"The stalked eyes are still a big mystery because we don't really know how to explain this," Dr. Lheritier admitted.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/hai-hung-ret-quai-vat-300-trieu-nam-to-nhu-o-to-196241013091341602.htm