Five hundred million years ago, tacos existed.

According to new research, the Cambrian creature was a mandibulate, a group of jawed arthropods.

The teams analysis ofOdaraiawas published today inProceedings of the Royal Society B.

An illustration of the taco-shaped Odaraia.

An illustration of the taco-shaped Odaraia.Image: Danielle Dufault/Royal Ontario Museum

Probably somewhat like the shrimp or prawns you may get in the supermarket.

The Cambrian seas were filled with alien creatures by todays standards.

Many Cambrian creatures are now preserved in the Burgess Shale, including the 8-inch (20-centimeter)Odaraia.

Parasitic copepods on a grenadier fish.

In 2021, a team of researchers announced the discovery of anabsolute unit calledT.

gainesi; in 2019, another shelled creature was named forits resemblance to Han Solos Millennium Falcon.

However, some other species had remained quite enigmatic, likeOdaraia.

Alligator

Besides the mandibles, the research team was able to analyze the creatures legs and spines in detail.

The Burgess Shale almost certainly holds more critters that will reveal the breathtaking diversity of Cambrian life.

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A colossal squid.

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A Fijian crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis).

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