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Chaud26s/sandbox
Temporal range: Middle Cambrian
Scientific classification
Phylum:
Family:
Genus:
Titanokorys

Caron 2021
Species:
Gainesi
Binomial name
Titanokorys gainesi
Caron 2021

The Titanokorys gainesi is the largest radiodont, a specific kind of arthopod, discovered so far. Titanokorys was classified as a radiodont by Dr. Jean-Barnard Caron.[1] Titanokorys are classified as carapace fossils[2]. Titanokorys was discovered in Kooteney National Park in the Canadian Rockies, and its discovery was announced in September of 2021[2]. It has a size of about 1.6 feet, which may not seem very large by current time's standards, but compared to the other animals that were living in the seas at the time, it was gigantic.[3]

This genus is named after Greek Titans, who are known to be particularly large and powerful, and Titanokorys is characterized by its comb-like frontal appendages that may have helped it move through the mud in order to search for prey.[1] It also has a circular mouth with tooth-like structures in the shape of triangles, two claws that would aid in capturing prey, gills, and flaps on the side of its body to help with swimming.[3] With such a short body and giant head, Titanokorys was adept for living on the sea floor, especially with its flatly-shaped figure.

Titanokorys is closely related to Cambroraster falcatus, because they both happened to be on the same bedding planes. Titanokorys likely preyed on worms that it would have to dig up with its two claws.[3]

The name of this genus is meant to honor Robert Gaines, who co-discovered the place where some of the Titanokorys specimen were found -- the Marble Canyon in the Kooteney National Park.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Marine creature dubbed 'the mothership' was primordial scourge 500 million years ago". ABC News. 2021-09-09. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  2. ^ a b "Meet Titanokorys gainesi, one of Earth's largest predators 500 million years ago". The Indian Express. 2021-09-09. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  3. ^ a b c d Mike (9 September 2021). "Titanokorys gainesi - Giant Cambrian Radiodont". Everything Dinosaur Blog. Retrieved 2021-12-01.