Do Tadpole shrimp fuel the imagination of trilobite behavior?

[Biotalker]

I recently watched these short videos on Nostraca tadpole shrimp/ shield shrimp. I'm sure it has been observed a million times before, but I wondered how similar the behavior of these extant critters might be to trilobites, given their convergent anatomy. Eyes on top, mouths on the underside of a shield like head, multiple similar legs/gills along its ventral surface. So to see these crustaceans maneuver, eat and remarkably molt (middle of second video), I just imagine similar behavior from trilobites, those stony motionless objects of our endless fascination.

[Ossicle]

They are brilliant, and an interesting biological analogy. Thank you for the vids.

[Fossildude19]

I find these very interesting.

I was a bit horrified to find that they cannibalize each other if food is lacking.

(Kids had a triops set when they were younger. )

 

Fascinating creatures, though. 

[SteveE]

On 3/24/2022 at 3:02 PM, Fossildude19 said:

I was a bit horrified to find that they cannibalize each other if food is lacking.

 

 

Cannibalism is freaky on one level, but step back and think in much longer time frames, and its really just the species reaching out for life and continued exisitence, by sacrificing a few so the survivors can get Tinder dates and breed again.