News Earth

Ancient fossil sheds light on early evolution of body armor

‘Walking cactus’ appears to have been first of its kind to stride on bendable, hard-covered legs

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Fossils of an ancient “walking cactus” suggest how ancestors of today’s lobsters, insects, spiders and related groups went from squishy to spiky.

MEET SPIKY A depiction of the 520-million-year-old fossil Diania cactiformis in life. The front of the animal is to the left.