When Giant Millipedes Reigned

The video discusses the discovery of a giant millipede fossil, Arthroplura, on Howick Beach. This fossil is the largest arthropod ever found, dating back to the Carboniferous period. Despite low oxygen levels at the time, the millipede's size was attributed to a lack of predators and competition. The video explores the ecological factors that allowed such gigantism and the eventual extinction of these creatures due to environmental changes and rising competition from vertebrates.

What role did food availability play in the size of Arthroplura?

How did the environment of the Carboniferous period support the existence of giant millipedes?

What were the major changes that led to the extinction of Arthroplura?