They were. The largest known land arthropod Arthropleura lived during a period when oxygen levels were closer to today's. The oxygen limit hypothesis has always been flawed and incomplete. A more efficient respiratory system can always evolve if it was a true issue as we see with coconut crabs who have developed their own type of lungs.
Great video. Thank you!
I like the big round arthropod display in the background.
Spider Crab, Spider Crab, does whatever a Spider Crab does
Weren’t Arthropods already growing quite large when oxygen levels were much lower than at its peak that you refer to?
They were. The largest known land arthropod Arthropleura lived during a period when oxygen levels were closer to today's. The oxygen limit hypothesis has always been flawed and incomplete. A more efficient respiratory system can always evolve if it was a true issue as we see with coconut crabs who have developed their own type of lungs.