Unlocking the Secrets of Trilobite Eyes: A Look Into Earth's Prehistoric Past
Have you ever heard of trilobites? They’re an ancient type of marine arthropod that lived during the Paleozoic era, about 350-250 million years ago. In a recent study, researchers from the University of California, Riverside have discovered that trilobites had eyes with resolution levels comparable to modern humans. This discovery is helping us to better understand the evolution of vision and the development of complex eyes.
We’ve long known that trilobites had eyes, but this recent study reveals that they had highly developed vision. By examining fossilized specimens, the researchers were able to detect tiny structures in the eyes known as ommatidia. These structures are made up of photoreceptor cells that are used to detect light and color. The resolution of these eyes was estimated to be comparable to that of modern humans, which is quite remarkable considering the age of these creatures. This discovery shows that complex vision developed surprisingly early in evolutionary history.
source: Phys.org