Megalodicopia is an unusual sea creature that belongs to the subtype of protozoan chordates, the shellfish. It differs from its relatives in being a voracious predator. Its huge mouth, which resembles a hood, is a trap for crayfish and zooplankton.
Despite their primitive nature, megalodicopias stand closer to humans than to marine sponges, worms, and other deep sea creatures. Some scientists even believe that megalodicopias may be the ancient ancestors of humans, appearing more than 550 million years ago.
However, predatory shellfish are related to humans not only by the presence of the spine, but also by the brain. At the larval stage, megalodicopias swim in the water column, looking for a convenient rock to anchor there for life. This is probably what they need a brain for, but only temporarily. Having found a suitable place and firmly established themselves, shellfish get rid of their brains. Some biologists believe that it is dissolved due to its uselessness, others state that megalodicopias eat it. Whatever the case may be, but in adults leading sedentary lifestyles, predatory shellfish brains are no longer observed.
Megalodicopias are hermaphrodites, capable of producing both sperm and eggs. And in the absence of partners, they are quite capable of reproducing without assistance. An adult megalodicopia can also fully recover from a microscopic torso particle in just two weeks.
Megalodicopias are amazing creatures that are unique in their own way. They are an unusual life form that gives scientists many possibilities for research. Megalodicopias can provide answers to many questions about the origin of life on Earth.
