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Fossils reveal head of ancient millipede that was biggest bug ever

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During the Carboniferous Period, Earth’s atmospheric oxygen levels surged, helping some plants and animals grow to gigantic proportions. One notable example was Arthropleura, the biggest bug ever known at up to 10-1/2 feet (3.2 meters) long, inhabiting what is now North America and Europe.While its fossils have been known since 1854, a large gap has existed in the understanding of this creature because none of the remains had a well-preserved head. The discovery in France of two Arthropleura fossils with intact heads has now remedied this, providing the anatomical details needed for scientists to classify it as a huge primitive millipede and determine it was not a predator but rather a plant eater.

The fossils, unearthed in Montceau-les-Mines, are of juvenile individuals, dating to about 305 million years ago. At the time, this locale was near the equator, with a tropical climate and a swampy environment lush with vegetation. While Arthropleura was this ecosystem’s behemoth, the fossils preserve young individuals just 1-1/2 inches (4 cm) long.The fossils showed Arthropleura’s head was roughly circular, with slender antennae, stalked eyes and mandibles – jaws – fixed under it. Arthropleura had two sets of feeding appendages, the first short and round, and the second elongated and leg-like.

The specimens each had 24 body segments and 44 pairs of legs – 88 legs in total. Based on its mouthparts and a body built for slow locomotion, the researchers concluded Arthropleura was a detritivore like modern millipedes, feeding on decaying plants, rather than a predator like centipedes.It could have served the same role in its ecosystem as elephants today or big dinosaurs like the long-necked sauropods in the past – “a big animal spending most of his time eating,” said paleontologist Mickaël Lhéritier of the Laboratory of Geology of Lyon at Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 in France, lead author of the study published this week in the journal Science Advances, opens new tab.

“I think it is quite a majestic animal. I think its gigantism gives it a peculiar aura, like the aura of whales or elephants,” Lhéritier said. “I love to imagine it as the ‘cow’ of the Carboniferous, eating during most of the day – but, of course, a cow with an exoskeleton and many more legs.”

Arthropleura was the largest-known land arthropod, a group spanning the likes of insects, spiders, millipedes, centipedes, lobsters and crabs.

(Reuters)

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50th ordination anniversary of Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, held (Pics)

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President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that the life of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith serves as an exemplary model in an era when the moral and spiritual values of society are in decline.

The President made these remarks yesterday (July 07), delivering a speech at the felicitation ceremony organized by the Archdiocese of Colombo to mark the 50th Ordination Anniversary of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith’s sacred priesthood. The event was held at the Archbishop’s House in Colombo.

The President stated that His Eminence is deeply engaged in a tireless mission to uphold social harmony and spiritual upliftment. He is a statesman who has rendered a significant service to the country, a theological scholar capable of articulating the teachings of the Bible with clarity, a powerful orator with the ability to awaken society and above all, a true humanitarian whose influence extends beyond these roles.

The President further affirmed that every possible step will be taken to ensure justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks, without allowing the passage of time to obscure the truth. He emphasized that this is a challenge the government must confront, even within its own institutions and no matter how difficult it may be, justice must be served.

Addressing the gathering, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith reflected on his 50 years of priestly service and commended President Anura Kumara Disanayake for his success in ending a 75-year era of autocratic rule. He also expressed appreciation for the President’s efforts to dismantle a political culture rooted in spreading division among ethnic communities and emphasized the need for a new approach as the country moves towards becoming a prosperous nation.

On this occasion, to mark the 50th Ordination Anniversary of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith’s priesthood, a commemorative stamp and first-day cover were officially presented to the President.

His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith was born in 1947 in the Polgahawela area of Kurunegala. He was ordained as a priest on June 29, 1975, at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, by Pope Paul VI. Thereafter, he served in various roles including Assistant Parish Priest, Acting Parish Priest, Lecturer in theology and professor at the seminary. He is proficient in multiple languages including Sinhala, Tamil, English, German, French, Spanish and Indonesian.

In 1991, under the leadership of then-Archbishop His Eminence Nicholas Marcus Fernando, he was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo, with his episcopal ordination taking place at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka in Tewatte.

Subsequently, on June 16, 2009, Malcolm Ranjith was appointed as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo. A year later, on November 20, 2010, he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal at the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Italy. With this appointment, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith became the second Sri Lankan to receive the blessing of holding the title of Cardinal. He has held numerous positions both nationally and internationally, including serving as chair of several international assemblies.

His Eminence has been the recipient of numerous international accolades, including the Thomas Aquinas Medal for Religious Studies awarded by the Thomas Aquinas College in the United States and the 7th Giuseppe Sciacca International Award for Cultural Achievement, conferred in 2008 by the President of the Italian Republic. A respected writer as well, he has contributed a multitude of articles to journals and newspapers.

Ven. Anunayaka of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero and Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Nayaka Thero extended their wishes during the occasion.

The event was also graced by the Maha Sangha of the three Nikayas, religious leaders from all faiths, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, the Charge de Affairs of the Apostolic Nunciature Msgr. Roberto Lucchini,  Auxiliary Bishops of Colombo Most Rev. Maxwell Silva and Most Rev. Anthony Jayakody, other Catholic clergy, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, several Ministers and Members of Parliament, Commanders of the Tri-Forces, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Ambassadors and many other distinguished invitees.

(President’s Media Division)

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Wazeeth sworn in as SLMC MP

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Mohamed Sheriff Abdul Wazeeth was sworn in as a Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) National List MP before Speaker – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (July 08).

He took over the Parliamentary seat that became vacant following the resignation of M.S. Naleem.

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No-faith motion against Speaker?

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It has been reported that opposition ranks are planning to table a No-Confidence Motion against the Speaker – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

According to political sources, many opposition parties have already agreed to support the move, with a final decision expected to be reached today (July 08).

The NCM is said to be based on several allegations of the Speaker obtaining additional benefits, misusing powers of his office and acting in a biased manner,  favouring the ruling party.

Meanwhile, during a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) group meeting yesterday, criticisms have been raised on certain facilities and privileges the Speaker is said to have obtained.

In recent weeks, several opposition MPs, including Dayasiri Jayasekara, have publicly criticised the Speaker’s conduct in Parliament.

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