A team of international researchers has found evidence of parenthood 450 million years ago.
Scientists have discovered a new fossil species, dubbed 'Luprisca incuba' (named after Lucina, goddess of childbirth). The females in the specimen were found with eggs together with probable hatched individuals.
The new species, Luprisca Incuba, belong to ostracods, an animal group related to crustaceans (such as shrimps, lobsters and crabs).
The fossils were uncovered in mudstone rocks in the state of New York. The completely preserved fossil featured a hard shell, soft limbs and body of the mother, together with a clutch of eggs within the shell, IBTimes UK reports.
Since these anatomical features were preserved in the mineral pyrite, the researchers employed x-ray techniques to disclose morphological details concealed within the shells and the rock.
"This a very rare and exciting find from the fossil record," David Siveter, Emeritus Professor of Palaeontology at the University of Leicester and principal author, said in a press release. "Only a handful of examples are known where eggs are fossilised and associated with the parent. This discovery tells us that these ancient tiny marine crustaceans took particular care of their brood in exactly the same way as their living relatives."
Researchers said that the ostracods lived along with other invertebrate animals like trilobites in oxygen-poor environments near the ancient borders of North American continent. Siveter said that the ostracods were probably capable of swimming near the sea bed, similar to their modern relatives. The tiny crustaceans were believed to have obtained their food by scavenging and hunting.
The finding is published in the journal Current Biology.
