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Ancient insect made its mark

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Times Staff and Wire Reports

U.S. researchers said this week that they have discovered what appears to be the oldest imprint of a prehistoric insect, made while the dragonfly-like creature was still alive.

The imprint found at a rocky outcrop near a large shopping center in North Attleboro, Mass., is believed to have been made by a 3-inch-long insect as it stood on mud about 312 million years ago.

The imprint shows the thorax and abdomen, along with six legs, two of which may have moved slightly to create drag marks that hardened into burgundy-colored stone.

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