Scientists have found a brain age of 520 million years

Near the town of Kunming, in China, scientists have discovered neural structures in the fossilized remains of the oldest predator of our planet.

Experts have determined that the brain and fossils belong Lyrarapax who lived on Earth during the Cambrian period, about 520 million years ago. Well-preserved remains telling of a primitive brain structure, but will allow scientists to resolve long-standing dispute regarding these long extinct creatures. Thanks to the remains, scientists have found that ancient animal is a distant relative of modern velvet worms.

They first discovered in the fossil state in the late 19th century, but could not be defined until the early 1980-ies. Until now, scientists argue where they are on the tree of life. Professor Nicholas Strausfeld, from the University of Arizona: "Our discovery helps to clarify this discussion. It turns out that the predator of the Cambrian had a brain that was much less complex than some of his possible victims, and it looks remarkably like the modern modest worm-like". The discovered species was named Lyrarapax unguispinus.

Source: nauka24news.ru/