518 million years ago, one tiny sea creature may have started the evolution of the fangs

Fossil of Urokodia aequalis from 518 million years ago in southern China shows earliest known pincer-like limbs that evolved into spider fangs and scorpion pincers.

Researchers used X-ray microtomography to reveal soft tissue structures, including a seven-segmented head and small pincer limbs behind the eyes.

The two-to-three-centimeter marine creature belongs to the chelicerate group, which includes modern spiders, scorpions, ticks, and horseshoe crabs.