A 500-million-year-old worm just got named after a Star Wars creature

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Intriguingly, when disparate realms intersect, it certainly occurs. In an enthralling blend of paleontology and popular culture, scientists have christened a 500-million-year-old worm fossil found in the Grand Canyon as Kraytdraco spectatus, drawing inspiration from the imposing Krayt dragon character hailing from Star Wars.

The significant find, as reported by National Geographic, took place during an expedition in 2023, led by Giovanni Mussini, a doctoral student at the University of Cambridge who is also a paleontologist. This team delved into the Grand Canyon, using the Colorado River for navigation and scaling treacherous rock formations to uncover fossils from the Cambrian era, a time marked by the emergence of intricate animal life. Among their discoveries were fragments of crustaceans resembling brine shrimp and mollusks similar to snails. However, the most fascinating unearthed artifact was the fossilized remains of a priapulid worm, commonly referred to as a “penis worm” due to its distinct shape.

The critter later named Kraytdraco spectatus was roughly around six to eight inches long. What stood out most was its retractable throat, or pharynx, which bore sharp teeth in a ring and had rows of feathery projections arranged concentrically – a trait not found in other known species. This intricate feeding mechanism seemed to enable the worm to sift through sediment and pick up fine particles from its surroundings.

The name “Kraytdraco spectatus” was proposed by a Star Wars enthusiast colleague of Mussini’s, and it incorporates a nod to the show’s famous Krayt dragons. These creatures, known for being burrowing carnivores from Tatooine, are often sought after for their valuable pearls found within them. Fans of “The Mandalorian” might recall “Chapter 9: The Marshal,” where Din Djarin joins forces with Cobb Vanth and the Tusken Raiders to battle a Krayt dragon that has been causing havoc in their settlement.

The creature’s name might suggest it’s based on a mythical beast, but its physical form is more similar to the sandworms from Frank Herbert’s Dune novels. However, since the term “Shai-Hulud,” which refers to the sandworms in Dune, was already used for another fossil, it was decided to name it after the Krayt dragon instead.

As a movie enthusiast captivated by history, I’m thrilled about this latest finding! It not only deepens our shared knowledge on ancient lifeforms but also illustrates the fascinating fusion of science and pop culture. In essence, it demonstrates how imaginative concepts born in sci-fi can spur actual scientific explorations in the real world.

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2025-08-09 22:22