Dollocaris ingens. Credit: gabuded
Dollocaris is a Jurassic animal placed within Thylacocephala, a group of crab-like aquatic arthropods. Dollocaris was likely to have not been nektonic, rather being an aquatic ambush predator (AAP), or some sort of benthic feeder with seemingly no use of the claws.
Description[]
Dollocaris can grow up to 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) in length. Dollocaris specimens measured around 20 cm in length. It sported a row of small appendages to assist in swimming, as well as three pairs of clawed segmented legs, but it was probably a poor swimmer, instead depending on ambush to hunt prey. It is known for its well-preserved, large compound eyes, sporting well-preserved individual retinula cells, which assisted in catching prey.
References[]
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4735654/
- https://science.mnhn.fr/institution/mnhn/collection/f/item/a29274?lang=en_US
- https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Eye-structure-of-Dollocaris-ingens-Thylacocephala-Middle-Jurassic-La-Voulte_fig2_291327713 [Eye Structure]
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/heres-lookin-at-you-dollocaris
- https://eartharchives.org/articles/extinct-crustacean-dollocaris-was-all-eyes/index.html