The fossil of a shrimp-like animal that thrived on our planet 520 million years ago has given researchers an opportunity to understand ancient nervous system. The remains unearthed from southern China are so well preserved that individual nerves are still visible.

A study team reported that it is one of the best preserved nervous systems ever discovered. It has been estimated that the ancient nervous system could reveal several things about animals’ evolution.

The fossil belonged to an ancient creature, Chengjiangocaris kunmingensis, which lived in sea during an era of Cambrian explosion. A ropelike central nerve cord is clearly visible which is extended throughout the crustacean-like critter’s body, as per the study researchers. Even individual nerve structures of the creature could be seen clearly, they added.

The nerve tissue masses, also known as ganglia, of the Chengjiangocaris kunmingensis were smaller along the central nerve cord. The ganglia were also noted to be linked to pairs of legs. The creature had several other structures that resemble today’s worms, said the researchers.

Chengjiangocaris kunmingensis was a creature that lived across the sea bottom and used its pair of limbs to scoop food into mouth, said Javier Ortega-Hernández, a biologist from the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge and lead author of the study.

“Some of the largest individuals can reach up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) long, and they had at least 80 legs”, Ortega-Hernández added.

Scientists don’t know much about the creature’s inside structures. Until now, researchers have found teeth, bones and other remains of the animal, but this is the first time when they managed to unearth well preserved softer tissues. Study researchers believe the findings could help them study the ancient creature in detail.