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| An artist's colour reconstruction of Hallucigenia sparsa is shown in this image released to Reuters on June 23, 2015. REUTERS/Danielle Dufault/Handout |
This is not an illustration for a science-fiction story. This creature, Hallucigenia sparsa, actually lived -- 508 million years ago. And after a fair amount (ahem) of research, scientists have finally figured out which end was which:
Hallucigenia, 0.4 to 2.2 inches long (10-55 mm), possessed seven pairs of nail-like spines protruding from its back, with an equal number of pairs of long, flimsy legs underneath tipped with claws. There were three pairs of skinny tentacles toward the head, perhaps used to process food or as antennae.
Hallucigenia has long baffled scientists. In the 1970s, it was thought its back spikes were legs, its legs were tentacles along its back and its head was its tail.
Keep in mind that we're dealing with a period in which Nature, so to speak, was being wildly experimental. Anything was possible -- until evolution cast the deciding vote. In this case, we're talking about an example of a group known as velvet worms, which are still around. As a group. Just not this particular one.
The universe is a strange and wonderful place.
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