''Leverhulmia'' is an extinct genus of probable hexapod, known from a single partial specimen with preserved gut contents, found in the Windyfield (Rhynie) chert.

Description

''Leverhulmia'' is an

arthropod Arthropods ( ) are invertebrates in the phylum Arthropoda. They possess an arthropod exoskeleton, exoskeleton with a cuticle made of chitin, often Mineralization (biology), mineralised with calcium carbonate, a body with differentiated (Metam ...

roughly long, with at least five pairs of uniramous limbs, split into six podomeres, and an unknown number of segments. As the head is not preserved, it could not be firmly classified into or excluded from any group within Myriapoda, although a position within

Diplopoda Millipedes (originating from the Latin , "thousand", and , "foot") are a group of arthropods that are characterised by having two pairs of jointed legs on most body segments; they are known scientifically as the class Diplopoda, the name derive ...

, or as a relative of ''

Kampecaris ''Kampecaris'' is an extinct genus comprising the Kampecarida, an enigmatic group of millipede-like arthropods, from the Silurian and early Devonian periods of Scotland and England. They are among the oldest known land-dwelling animals. They were ...

'', was hypothesised. Therefore, it was classed as Myriapoda ''

incertae sedis or is a term used for a taxonomy (biology), taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Alternatively, such groups are frequently referred to as "enigmatic taxa". In the system of open nomenclature, uncertainty ...

''. A later paper suggests it was a hexapod, specifically a relative of

Zygentoma Zygentoma are an order in the class Insecta, and consist of about 550 known species. The Zygentoma include the so-called silverfish or fishmoths, and the firebrats. A conspicuous feature of the order are the three long caudal filaments. The t ...

Archaeognatha The Archaeognatha are an order of apterygotes, known by various common names such as jumping bristletails. Among extant insect taxa they are some of the most evolutionarily primitive; they appeared in the Middle Devonian period at about the sa ...

instead, after the discovery of thoracic leg segments which suggest the type specimen is part of the abdomen. Unlike '' Rhyniognatha'' and '' Strudiella'', its interpretation as insect is not questioned yet, but it is not easy to interpret.

Etymology

''Leverhulmia'' is named after the

Leverhulme Trust The Leverhulme Trust () is a large national grant-making organisation in the United Kingdom. It was established in 1925 under the will of the 1st Viscount Leverhulme (1851–1925), with the instruction that its resources should be used to cover ...

, for “the generosity of the Leverhulme Trust which supported this phase of exploration of the Rhynie and Windyfield cherts”. Its specific name, ''mariae'' is “in honour of Mary Duncan of Windyfield Farm, on whose land the Windyfield cherts occur”.

Ecology

From the preserved gut contents containing

fungal A fungus (: fungi , , , or ; or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one of the tradit ...

and plant spores, as well as plant tissue, ''Leverhulmia'' seems to have been a

detritivore Detritivores (also known as detrivores, detritophages, detritus feeders or detritus eaters) are heterotrophs that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus (decomposing plant and animal parts as well as feces). There are many kinds of invertebrates, ...

, and thus would be the earliest confirmed example of such.

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q55646998, from2=Q119661797 Enigmatic arthropod taxa Devonian arthropods of Europe Fossils of Great Britain Devonian insects