Shrimp fossil-find 'new species'

12 December 2012 Last updated at 05:59 ET

Fossils discovered of 425m-year-old tiny shrimp-like creatures are of a species new to science, say experts.

Found in Herefordshire, the invertebrates were preserved by volcanic ash when the UK had a subtropical climate.

The fossils show the animals' shells and soft tissues, such as eyes and limbs, the Leicester experts say.

Prof David Siveter said the species, named Pauline Avibella in honour of his late wife, was a rare discovery.

'Beautiful bird' Continue reading the main story

Our ancient planet

• At 425 million years old, these ostracods originate from the earth's Silurian period
• It was when coral reefs first appeared and melting glacial formations meant a rise sea levels
• There was also a rapid spread of jawless fish, and the first known freshwater fish also emerged

Source: BBC Nature

"The find is important because it is one of only a handful preserving the fossilised soft-tissues of ostracods [type of crustacean]," he said.

"[The fossils] allow unparalleled insight into the ancient biology, community structure and evolution of animals."

Avibella was chosen because it means beautiful bird, reflecting the fact the shell of these creatures looks like a wing to those that have studied it.

The 1cm-long fossils, found in rocks in Herefordshire, near the Welsh border, were reconstructed using a technique that involves grinding each specimen down, and photographing each stage.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20692019#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

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