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A remarkably preserved 520-million-year-old Cambrian arthropod larva, Youti yuanshi, has been discovered. No bigger than a poppy seed, its three-dimensional preservation, revealed using synchrotron X-ray tomography, showcases internal organs including a brain, digestive glands, and circulatory system. This discovery, led by Dr. Martin Smith, significantly advances understanding of early arthropod evolution, filling a gap in our knowledge of the Cambrian Explosion and highlighting the unexpectedly advanced anatomy of these early ancestors. The research, published in Nature, emphasizes the importance of even minuscule fossils in unraveling the history of life on Earth.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.