Fossils
discovered of 425-million-year-old tiny shrimp-like creatures are of a species
new to science, say experts.
Found
in Herefordshire, the invertebrates were preserved by volcanic ash when the UK
had a subtropical climate.
The
fossils show the animals' shells and soft tissues, such as eyes and limbs, the
Leicester experts say.
Prof
David Siveter said the species, named Pauline avibella in honour of his late
wife, was a rare discovery.
"The
find is important because it is one of only a handful preserving the fossilised
soft-tissues of ostracods [type of crustacean]," he said.
"[The
fossils] allow unparalleled insight into the ancient biology, community
structure and evolution of animals."
Avibella
was chosen because it means beautiful bird, reflecting the fact the shell of
these creatures looks like a wing to those that have studied it.
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