'Earliest Animal Predator' Named After David Attenborough

Sir David Attenborough poses for a photo after being appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George following an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, June 8, 2022. A fossil of a 560-million-year-old creature, which researchers believe to be the first animal predator, has been named after the British naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough. Scientists said Monday, July 25, 2022 they believe the specimen, named Auroralumina attenboroughii, is the earliest creature known to have a skeleton.(Jonathan Brady/Pool via AP)

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By Associated Press

July 25, 2022 at 5:05 PM UTC

Updated on

July 25, 2022 at 6:50 PM UTC

London (AP) -- A fossil of a 560-million-year-old creature, which researchers believe to be the first animal predator, has been named after the British naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough.

Scientists said Monday they believe the specimen, named Auroralumina attenboroughii, is the earliest creature known to have a skeleton. It is related to the group that includes corals, jellyfish and anemones, they say.