This Ancient Insect Had 24 Legs—and Could Help Explain How the Ancestors of Modern-Day Bugs Took Over the Land
smithsonianmag · 2026-09-01
A newly identified fossil creature named *Chosha praecursor* has provided significant insight into the evolution of insects from aquatic to land-dwelling forms. Discovered in Texas and dating back 324 million years, this species represents a transitional link, filling a major gap in the fossil record. *Chosha praecursor* possessed both insect-like features, such as three pairs of walking legs, and nine additional pairs of shorter, paddle-like legs on its abdomen, totaling 24 legs—far more than modern six-legged insects. Researchers, including lead author Erik Tihelka, suggest this creature was semi-aquatic, supporting the theory that insects underwent a gradual, amphibious phase before fully adapting to land, with the loss of abdominal appendages being a key evolutionary innovation for terrestrial life. The findings, published in *Nature*, challenge the long-held assumption that early insects were six-legged, revealing that "hexapods" originally had many more.