The discovery of the extensive fossil record hidden in the Burgess Shale, revealed to scientists a plethora of new and previously undiscovered species. On the evolution timeline such a burst of species development was unheard of. This discovery also known as the Cambrian Explosion, marked the sudden appearance of an ecosystem full of highly developed predator and prey organisms that the like of which had never been seen before. One such organism was Sanctacaris.
Its name literally means 'sacred shrimp'. It is thought to have used its head appendages to trap and consume its prey. It is regarded as a primitive form of chelicerate, a group that includes horseshoe crabs, spiders, and scorpions. The specimens that have been found range from 43-93 mm in length. Although it is grouped in with the other organisms from the Cambrian Explosion, Sanctacaris was discovered in 1980, long after Charles Walcott's original findings in 1909.
Some say that it still exists to this day! ;)
If you find the Cambrian explosion super interesting and want to experience what these animals might have tasted like check out this link: Edible Cambrians.
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