Tiny shrimp fossil named after David Attenborough

Image source, Siveter et al

Image caption, Because the fossil was so well preserved, scientists were able to make this 3D model of what it would have looked like.

A tiny shrimp-like fossil which is thought to be around 430 million-years-old has been discovered.

Researchers found the creature preserved in ancient volcanic rock, and decided to name it after their favourite naturalist Sir David Attenborough.

They called it: Cascolus Ravitis, which is a combination of the Latin word for Attenborough, and the Roman word for Leicester, where Sir David lived.

Take a look at some of these other animals named after David Attenborough.

Image caption, Sir David Attenborough has got lots of animals named after him, and even a boat!

Sir David said: 鈥淭he biggest compliment that a biologist or palaeontologist can pay to another one is to name a fossil in his honour and I take this as a very great compliment.鈥

The newly discovered creature is a tiny arthropod - a group of animals which includes things like spiders, shrimp, and crayfish, who have their skeletons on the outside of their bodies, like shells.