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Peculiar' new species of Jurassic squid found in Wyoming
Developing
In Short: A 'peculiar' new species of Jurassic squid-like animal has been identified in Wyoming, USA, according to a recent discovery by the University of Manchester.
A 'peculiar' new species of Jurassic squid-like animal has been identified in Wyoming, USA, according to a recent discovery by the University of Manchester.
The newly named species, Wyoteuthis linsterorum, is a type of ancient cephalopod, known as a belemnite, which are cousins of modern squid and octopus.
These fossils, dating back around 160 million years, are among the most common fossils found worldwide and are recognized by their bullet-shaped remains, known as a rostrum or guard.
What's still developing
- Millions have been discovered in Wyoming's Sundance Formation, an ancient inland sea that once covered the western USA.
- C o-author and Wyoming palaeontologist, Jessica Lippincott, said i n Wyoming, they are nicknamed “squid butts”.
- By contrast, the newly discovered species had an unusually broad, barrel-shaped rostrum around 10 centimetres long but up to six centimetres wide, making it the thickest belemnite ever recorded.
- Cliff discovered one of only two known specimens of the new species and donated it for scientific study.
- Most Wyoming belemnites are bullet-shaped measuring around 5 to 10 centimetres long and only 1 to 2 centimetres wide.
Sources
- The University of Manchesterlink