Burgess Shale
Monthly Archive: December Burg
The life cycle of a new fossil: Meet the ancient cousin of the earthworm
![Kootenayscolex barbarensis An artist reconstruction of Kootenayscolex barbarensis](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/kootenayscolex_reconstruction.jpg?itok=wNh1x1SH)
By Karma Nanglu
Habelia, a fossil predator with a “multi-tool” head
![Artistic reconstruction of Habelia optata Artistic reconstruction of Habelia optata. Credit: Courtesy of Joanna Liang, © Royal Ontario Museum](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/habelia-optata.jpg?itok=3XvCKFxu)
The Cambrian Burgess Shale arthropod Habelia optata illustrates the uncanny origin of horseshoe crabs, scorpions and spiders
The secret of Oesia: a Burgess Shale mystery, by Karma Nanglu
My name is Karma Nanglu and I’m a PhD student at the University of Toronto, but on a day-to-day basis I do my research at the Royal Ontario Museum.
Burgess Shale fossil site reveals oldest evidence of brood care
![Waptia fieldensis (middle Cambrian) with eggs brooded between the inner surface of the carapace and the body. Illustrator: Danielle Dufault © Royal Ontario Museum Illustration of Waptia carrying eggs or juveniles.](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/waptia_fieldensis_illustration_th.jpg?itok=G3YdqBRD)
Waptia fieldensis research shows parenting has a long history (508 million years)
Brood care, where the adult carries its eggs or juveniles to help increase their survival, was an important evolutionary step. However, little is known about how and when this strategy began.
The restudy of the iconic Hallucigenia animal from Burgess Shale
New research published today in the journal Nature describes a newly-discovered 'ring of teeth' in an otherworldly creature from half a billion years ago.
A Fish With a Big Bang
![<i>Metaspriggina walcotti</i> as it might have looked in its environment. Reconstruction by Marianne Collins. © Conway Morris and Caron. Illustration of Metaspriggina](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/metaspriggina_rconstruction600.jpg?itok=7HMBD-6F)
New fossils reveal first hints of the evolution of jaws in primitive fish.