A massive carnivorous worm formerly at the top of the ancient ocean’s food chain has been discovered by scientists near the most northern regions of Greenland’s coast.
Timorebestia, which means ‘horror monsters’ in Latin, has been given to the worm, which may grow to be over 30 centimeters or approximately 1 foot in length.
Thirteen specimens of Timorebestia koprii, the ‘horror’ worm, were identified, with some of its fossil remains preserved with prey still digesting in their stomachs.
Although tiny by today’s standards, Timorebestia were among the biggest aquatic creatures of the Early Cambrian era, with long antennae, gigantic jaw structures, and rows of fins along the length of their bodies.
One paleobiologist described the terror worms as ‘a dynasty’ that may have likely reigned for ‘about 10-15 million years.’
