Ancient Spider Discovery

In an article published in Current Biology, researchers from the University of Manchester used X-ray imaging techniques on a 305-million-year-old harvestman (group within arachnid group) fossil. The fossil was found in eastern France and is named Hastocularis argus. Although the images show that the organism had a set of eight legs, researchers say that the organism is more closely related to scorpions. The arachnid, unlike modern-day arachnids, has a total of two sets of eyes -  a medial and lateral set. Modern-day arachnids only have a median set of eyes so the discovery gives a new link to the evolution of the arachnid group.

In looking at the early development of arachnids, the team of researchers could see that modern harvestman embryos have traces of this lateral eye growth seen in the discovered organism. It's interesting to me that the organism went through an evolution in which it lost its lateral eyes. I would think the two sets of eyes would make the organism more aware of its surroundings and less prone to predators. Further research for the evolution of arachnids will definitely follow up after this discovery in my opinion. More information on harvestman can be read here.