Zombie worm ‘destroyed fossils’

A species of bone-eating worm that was believed to have evolved in conjunction with whales has been dated back to prehistoric times when it fed on the carcasses of giant marine reptiles.

Scientists found that Osedax — popularised as the “zombie worm” — originated at least 100 million years ago, and subsisted on the bones of prehistoric reptiles such as plesiosaurs and sea turtles.

The research team at Plymouth University told how they found traces of Osedax on plesiosaur fossils held at the University of Cambridge Museum.