Prehistorica (Christian M.)
@prehistorica.art
Invertebrate Palaeontologist and Palaeoartist from Ontario. Cambrian enthusiast. Worshipper of Omnidens. he/him.
Hallucigenia sparsa, a small lobopodian from the Cambrian-age Burgess Shale, climbing on a sponge.
November 6, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Hallucigenia sparsa, a small lobopodian from the Cambrian-age Burgess Shale, climbing on a sponge.
Papiliomaris kluessendorfae, first reported in 1985 as the Waukesha "Butterfly Animal", was recently described as a strange bivalved arthropod with three pairs of large, feathery appendages. Some reports indicate it could reach up to 20cm wide.
October 8, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Papiliomaris kluessendorfae, first reported in 1985 as the Waukesha "Butterfly Animal", was recently described as a strange bivalved arthropod with three pairs of large, feathery appendages. Some reports indicate it could reach up to 20cm wide.
Multiple lobopodian fossils from the Chengjiang Biota of Cambrian China, including a specimen of two Diania cactiformis, have been found stacked directly on top of each other.
Perhaps a snapshot into the courtship and reproduction of these ancient arthropod ancestors?
Perhaps a snapshot into the courtship and reproduction of these ancient arthropod ancestors?
August 22, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Multiple lobopodian fossils from the Chengjiang Biota of Cambrian China, including a specimen of two Diania cactiformis, have been found stacked directly on top of each other.
Perhaps a snapshot into the courtship and reproduction of these ancient arthropod ancestors?
Perhaps a snapshot into the courtship and reproduction of these ancient arthropod ancestors?
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
Results from the #paloestream from 26th July 2025.
Depicted are from top left to down right:
#Palaeocampa
#Nektognathus
#Wudingloong
#Mirasaura
Tags: #paleoart #prehistoric #prehistoriccreatures #paleozoic #prehistoricanimals #peternickolaus #paleopete #dinosaur
Depicted are from top left to down right:
#Palaeocampa
#Nektognathus
#Wudingloong
#Mirasaura
Tags: #paleoart #prehistoric #prehistoriccreatures #paleozoic #prehistoricanimals #peternickolaus #paleopete #dinosaur
July 26, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Results from the #paloestream from 26th July 2025.
Depicted are from top left to down right:
#Palaeocampa
#Nektognathus
#Wudingloong
#Mirasaura
Tags: #paleoart #prehistoric #prehistoriccreatures #paleozoic #prehistoricanimals #peternickolaus #paleopete #dinosaur
Depicted are from top left to down right:
#Palaeocampa
#Nektognathus
#Wudingloong
#Mirasaura
Tags: #paleoart #prehistoric #prehistoriccreatures #paleozoic #prehistoricanimals #peternickolaus #paleopete #dinosaur
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
Results from the Flocking #paleostream!
Palaeocampa, Nektognathus, Wudingloong, Mirasaura
Palaeocampa, Nektognathus, Wudingloong, Mirasaura
July 26, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Results from the Flocking #paleostream!
Palaeocampa, Nektognathus, Wudingloong, Mirasaura
Palaeocampa, Nektognathus, Wudingloong, Mirasaura
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
#Paleostream flocking! Nektognathus, Palaeocampa, Wudingloong(Sort by age). It is unclear if Wudingloong lived alongside quadrupedal sauropods
July 26, 2025 at 1:47 AM
#Paleostream flocking! Nektognathus, Palaeocampa, Wudingloong(Sort by age). It is unclear if Wudingloong lived alongside quadrupedal sauropods
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
Flocking! A Lobopodian was drawn!
Palaeocampa, Nektognathus, Wudingloong, Mirasaura.
#paleostream #paleoart #sciart #art
Palaeocampa, Nektognathus, Wudingloong, Mirasaura.
#paleostream #paleoart #sciart #art
July 26, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Flocking! A Lobopodian was drawn!
Palaeocampa, Nektognathus, Wudingloong, Mirasaura.
#paleostream #paleoart #sciart #art
Palaeocampa, Nektognathus, Wudingloong, Mirasaura.
#paleostream #paleoart #sciart #art
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
Meet Palaeocampa anthrax, a newly discovered Carboniferous lobopodian, and 150 year old mystery fossil!
Palaeocampa is an exceptional lobopodian - it lived in rivers and lakes, bristled with thousands of poisonous spines, and more. 🧵
Open access: nature.com/articles/s42...
Palaeocampa is an exceptional lobopodian - it lived in rivers and lakes, bristled with thousands of poisonous spines, and more. 🧵
Open access: nature.com/articles/s42...
July 25, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
Palaeocampa anthrax, a fossil worm first described from Carboniferous rocks in 1865 as a caterpillar, is redescribed as a freshwater aysheaiid lobopodian with unique sclerite armature and probable chemical defences.
@prehistorica.art
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
@prehistorica.art
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Palaeocampa anthrax, an armored freshwater lobopodian with chemical defenses from the Carboniferous - Communications Biology
Palaeocampa anthrax, a fossil worm first described from Carboniferous rocks in 1865 as a caterpillar, is redescribed as a freshwater aysheaiid lobopodian with a unique sclerite armature and probable c...
www.nature.com
July 25, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Palaeocampa anthrax, a fossil worm first described from Carboniferous rocks in 1865 as a caterpillar, is redescribed as a freshwater aysheaiid lobopodian with unique sclerite armature and probable chemical defences.
@prehistorica.art
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
@prehistorica.art
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
Basically, they're this big mama here, but having lived directly in fresh water with spikes like spiky-boi caterpillars, a head shield, and presumably no ability to shoot glue.
They would definitely be fun to keep in an aquarium!
They would definitely be fun to keep in an aquarium!
July 25, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Basically, they're this big mama here, but having lived directly in fresh water with spikes like spiky-boi caterpillars, a head shield, and presumably no ability to shoot glue.
They would definitely be fun to keep in an aquarium!
They would definitely be fun to keep in an aquarium!
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
Knecht et al. - Palaeocampa anthrax, an armored freshwater lobopodian with chemical defenses from the Carboniferous
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
July 24, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Knecht et al. - Palaeocampa anthrax, an armored freshwater lobopodian with chemical defenses from the Carboniferous
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
#paleoart
In Carboniferous lake of Montceau-les-Mines, Platysella descusi is trying to bother Palaeocampa anthrax. Palaeocampa curls up and bristles up in defense. Two Palaeocaris secretanae and single Nyranerpeton montceauense are swimming nearby.
In Carboniferous lake of Montceau-les-Mines, Platysella descusi is trying to bother Palaeocampa anthrax. Palaeocampa curls up and bristles up in defense. Two Palaeocaris secretanae and single Nyranerpeton montceauense are swimming nearby.
July 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM
#paleoart
In Carboniferous lake of Montceau-les-Mines, Platysella descusi is trying to bother Palaeocampa anthrax. Palaeocampa curls up and bristles up in defense. Two Palaeocaris secretanae and single Nyranerpeton montceauense are swimming nearby.
In Carboniferous lake of Montceau-les-Mines, Platysella descusi is trying to bother Palaeocampa anthrax. Palaeocampa curls up and bristles up in defense. Two Palaeocaris secretanae and single Nyranerpeton montceauense are swimming nearby.
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
Great thread on a cool newly recognized toxic lobopodian from the famous Mazon Creek lagerstätte.
July 23, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Great thread on a cool newly recognized toxic lobopodian from the famous Mazon Creek lagerstätte.
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
peak lifeform
Meet Palaeocampa anthrax, a newly discovered Carboniferous lobopodian, and 150 year old mystery fossil!
Palaeocampa is an exceptional lobopodian - it lived in rivers and lakes, bristled with thousands of poisonous spines, and more. 🧵
Open access: nature.com/articles/s42...
Palaeocampa is an exceptional lobopodian - it lived in rivers and lakes, bristled with thousands of poisonous spines, and more. 🧵
Open access: nature.com/articles/s42...
July 23, 2025 at 5:48 PM
peak lifeform
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
⚒️🧪
Meet Palaeocampa anthrax, a newly discovered Carboniferous lobopodian, and 150 year old mystery fossil!
Palaeocampa is an exceptional lobopodian - it lived in rivers and lakes, bristled with thousands of poisonous spines, and more. 🧵
Open access: nature.com/articles/s42...
Palaeocampa is an exceptional lobopodian - it lived in rivers and lakes, bristled with thousands of poisonous spines, and more. 🧵
Open access: nature.com/articles/s42...
July 23, 2025 at 2:49 PM
⚒️🧪
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
Palaeocampa anthrax, an armored freshwater lobopodian with chemical defenses from the Carboniferous www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Art by @prehistorica.art
Art by @prehistorica.art
July 23, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Palaeocampa anthrax, an armored freshwater lobopodian with chemical defenses from the Carboniferous www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Art by @prehistorica.art
Art by @prehistorica.art
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
🚨LOBOPODIAN ALERT!1!!!11!🚨 Palaeocampa – a fossil known since 1865 – redescribed & now interpreted as: geologically youngest of its kind (315-307 mya), lived in freshwater environments, & (most badass of all) had venomous spines. Great work by Richard Knect, @prehistorica.art, & colleagues. 🧪
Meet Palaeocampa anthrax, a newly discovered Carboniferous lobopodian, and 150 year old mystery fossil!
Palaeocampa is an exceptional lobopodian - it lived in rivers and lakes, bristled with thousands of poisonous spines, and more. 🧵
Open access: nature.com/articles/s42...
Palaeocampa is an exceptional lobopodian - it lived in rivers and lakes, bristled with thousands of poisonous spines, and more. 🧵
Open access: nature.com/articles/s42...
July 23, 2025 at 2:14 PM
🚨LOBOPODIAN ALERT!1!!!11!🚨 Palaeocampa – a fossil known since 1865 – redescribed & now interpreted as: geologically youngest of its kind (315-307 mya), lived in freshwater environments, & (most badass of all) had venomous spines. Great work by Richard Knect, @prehistorica.art, & colleagues. 🧪
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
某所で噂されていた研究が出版された・・・石炭紀の淡水葉足動物！
phys.org/news/2025-07...
phys.org/news/2025-07...
Fossil once thought a caterpillar is now the oldest known nonmarine lobopodian
In a twist worthy of a detective novel, a long-misidentified fossil at Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) has emerged as a key discovery in early animal evolution.
phys.org
July 23, 2025 at 9:26 AM
某所で噂されていた研究が出版された・・・石炭紀の淡水葉足動物！
phys.org/news/2025-07...
phys.org/news/2025-07...
Meet Palaeocampa anthrax, a newly discovered Carboniferous lobopodian, and 150 year old mystery fossil!
Palaeocampa is an exceptional lobopodian - it lived in rivers and lakes, bristled with thousands of poisonous spines, and more. 🧵
Open access: nature.com/articles/s42...
Palaeocampa is an exceptional lobopodian - it lived in rivers and lakes, bristled with thousands of poisonous spines, and more. 🧵
Open access: nature.com/articles/s42...
July 23, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Meet Palaeocampa anthrax, a newly discovered Carboniferous lobopodian, and 150 year old mystery fossil!
Palaeocampa is an exceptional lobopodian - it lived in rivers and lakes, bristled with thousands of poisonous spines, and more. 🧵
Open access: nature.com/articles/s42...
Palaeocampa is an exceptional lobopodian - it lived in rivers and lakes, bristled with thousands of poisonous spines, and more. 🧵
Open access: nature.com/articles/s42...
A swarm of Isotelus maximus gathering to moult and reproduce, stalked in the distance by large nautiloid cephalopods.
June 5, 2025 at 1:08 PM
A swarm of Isotelus maximus gathering to moult and reproduce, stalked in the distance by large nautiloid cephalopods.
Cretoperipatus burmiticus, an equatorial velvet worm from the Cretaceous period.
May 18, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Cretoperipatus burmiticus, an equatorial velvet worm from the Cretaceous period.
Reposted by Prehistorica (Christian M.)
Discussion in #PapersinPalaeontology: comment onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... and reply onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... on Omnidens appendages and the origin of radiodont mouthparts
May 6, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Discussion in #PapersinPalaeontology: comment onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... and reply onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... on Omnidens appendages and the origin of radiodont mouthparts
Pulmonoscorpius, a 70cm long scorpion from Carboniferous Scotland.
A daytime predator, Pulmonoscorpius was equipped with large compound eyes on the sides of its head, and an enormous stinger. Here, it blends in with the forest, eating a lizard-like Westlothiana.
A daytime predator, Pulmonoscorpius was equipped with large compound eyes on the sides of its head, and an enormous stinger. Here, it blends in with the forest, eating a lizard-like Westlothiana.
May 7, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Pulmonoscorpius, a 70cm long scorpion from Carboniferous Scotland.
A daytime predator, Pulmonoscorpius was equipped with large compound eyes on the sides of its head, and an enormous stinger. Here, it blends in with the forest, eating a lizard-like Westlothiana.
A daytime predator, Pulmonoscorpius was equipped with large compound eyes on the sides of its head, and an enormous stinger. Here, it blends in with the forest, eating a lizard-like Westlothiana.
New Paper ->
Comment on: Omnidens appendages and the origin of radiodont mouthparts
Are there really 2 species of Omnidens? I comment on the organization of the mouth of this Cambrian apex predator, and argue there is only one species, Omnidens amplus.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
Comment on: Omnidens appendages and the origin of radiodont mouthparts
Are there really 2 species of Omnidens? I comment on the organization of the mouth of this Cambrian apex predator, and argue there is only one species, Omnidens amplus.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
May 6, 2025 at 1:31 PM
New Paper ->
Comment on: Omnidens appendages and the origin of radiodont mouthparts
Are there really 2 species of Omnidens? I comment on the organization of the mouth of this Cambrian apex predator, and argue there is only one species, Omnidens amplus.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
Comment on: Omnidens appendages and the origin of radiodont mouthparts
Are there really 2 species of Omnidens? I comment on the organization of the mouth of this Cambrian apex predator, and argue there is only one species, Omnidens amplus.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
Keurbos susanae, a newly described giant arthropod from the Ordovician-age Soom Shale of South Africa.
March 29, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Keurbos susanae, a newly described giant arthropod from the Ordovician-age Soom Shale of South Africa.