The sea lily lived on Earth 150 million years ago.
Polish paleontologists named a new species of fossil lilies, discovered in Africa, in honor of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi. According to the scientists' article published in the journal Royal society publishing, the name was given “in honor of the sixth and current president of Ukraine, his courage and bravery in the defense of free Ukraine”.
The remains of the fossil creature Ausichicrinites zelenskyyi were discovered in Ethiopia , their age is estimated at 150 million years. This is the first representative of echinoderms of the Jurassic period found on the African continent.
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The fossil remains are well preserved. The creature had 10 long arms and sharp tentacle-like claws that it used to grip the seabed. In addition, the fossil preserved traces of ancient trauma. The creature likely survived an attack that resulted in the loss of one of its 10 limbs.
Modern echinoderms are known for their ability to regenerate and can quickly fully regrow lost limbs. Ausichicrinites zelenskyyi shows signs of regrowth of the lost arm. The creature is the first documented evidence of regeneration in a fossil animal.
Sea lilies are a class of invertebrates found in all regions of the world's oceans, including Antarctic and Arctic regions.
Previously scientists discovered the remains of a dinosaur, which was probably the largest land predator that once lived in Europe. Fossil remains were found on the coast of England.
