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3D Images Reconstructed of 300M-Year-Old Spiders
Hugh Pickens writes "Scientists at Imperial College London have created detailed 3D computer models of two fossilized specimens of ancient creatures called Cryptomartus hindi and Eophrynus prestvicii, closely related to modern-day spiders. The researchers created their images by using a CT scanning device, which enabled them to take 3,000 X-rays of each fossil then compile them into precise 3D models, using custom-designed software. Both spiders roamed the Earth during the Carboniferous period, 359-299 million years ago, when life was emerging from the oceans to live on land. C. hindi's front pair of legs were angled toward the front, suggesting they were used to grapple with prey, an 'ambush predator' like the modern-day crab spider, lying in wait for prey to come close. 'Our models almost bring these ancient creatures back to life and it's really exciting to be able to look at them in such detail,' says researcher Russel Garwood, adding that the technique could be used to return to fossils that have previously been analyzed by conventional means. 'Our study helps build a picture of what was happening during this period early in the history of life on land.'"
Too much X-rays will give cancer to these poors fossils.
...were they giant spiders?
The article doesn't say!
No sig for the moment.
Of COURSE they're GIANT spiders. If they weren't would it be News for Nerds? And would it matter? I think not.
I like articles that clearly tell me where to stop reading.
That's a headcrab!
Sigs are for Terrorists.
We've reduced 300m-year-old life to the graphics of an 80s video game.
Thanks, science.
I don't know about these guys, but whenever I try and do a 3D image of a spider it just crawls away. By the time I get to actually rendering an image, the spider is flat.
The Kai's Semi-Updated Website Thingy
Don't fuck him then!
The spiders have the size of a 50 pence piece, which means they are below 3cm large. I'd say they where using a standard micro CT scanner, depending on the protocol that gives you about these 3000 projections. The software to reconstruct 3D volume data from the projections usually comes with the scanner, and going from volume data to a real model has been done for ages. Of course you can write your own reconstruction software, but that's just one amongst many.
Actually having a fossil that old to begin with, well that's another story.
How big is it? I could care less what it looks like without knowing if it's the size of a dime, a dinner plate or a small dog.
At least to me.
Looks a lot like a Tick to me... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tick
The Earth is only 6000 years old. Clearly this "fossil" is the work of the Devil.
Either that, to Adam had to squish these for Eve (and his other two rarely mentioned wives).
Utilizing the synergization of benchmark e-solutions to pre-workaround action items!
It looks like a giant tick to me.
"SPOON!!!"
I was playing with the model after pulling it out of a scanner using a radioactive isotope, and it bit me. Now I find myself sticking to the walls, and having to rescue assorted nubile females from strangely dressed characters while wearing amusing cosplay uniforms. Anyone else having this problem?
Who would win this election: Andrew Weiner vs Andrew Weiner's weiner.
Are any other species proposed to have evolved from the spiders that existed 300M years ago?
It does look very tick-like! I wonder if they are more closely related to tickspiders than true spiders(of Araneae). Although a lot of Arachnida look very similar (includes ticks, spiders and ricinulei).
“Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
now we are really fucked:
http://surbrook.devermore.net/superpics/beasts/spiderbear.jpg
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
C. hindi's front pair of legs were angled toward the front, suggesting they were used to grapple with prey, an 'ambush predator' like the modern-day crab spider, lying in wait for prey to come close.
Maybe they weren't ambush predators. They are extinct after all; maybe their progeny were eventually ambush predators, but C hindi could have been a poorly designed hunting spider.
How can these spiders be 300 million years old when the earth is only about 10,000? Did they exist out in space until the earth was created?
XKCD:Xeric Knowledge Comically Dispen
How is this amazing news? What does it prove? that spiders existed 10 zillion years ago? That they looked like spiders do now? Or is it just the fact that they made the 3D model? If so, big deal - they've done it before with other fossils.... *shrug*
blog.idigitall.com
Yes, the article does say what size they were.
FTFA:
Both Cryptomartus hindi and Eophrynus prestivicii were around the size of a 50 pence piece and they roamed the Earth during the Carboniferous period, 359 - 299 million years ago.
[my emphasis]
50 pence piece== 27.3mm, or a 'hair bigger than an inch'[for those in the USA].
A one inch spider hardly qualifies as being 'giant'.
Down With Slashdot BETA!!! I've been around the corner and seen the oliphant; you can only abuse me from your perspecti
I, for one, welcome our new digital, 3D modeled, prehistoric, giant spider overlords.
Well, maybe they weren't giant, but it's creepier this way.