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Scientists Discover a Bizarre Jurassic 'Squid' Unlike Anything Ever Seen
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What Happened?
Two rare fossils found in Wyoming have revealed a new species of squid relative, Wyoteuthis linsterorum, from the Jurassic Period. This species is notable for its unusually thick internal skeleton.
Key points
- Wyoteuthis linsterorum lived approximately 160 million years ago.
- The species is the 'chunkiest' belemnite ever identified.
- Its rostrum measures 10 cm long and 6 cm wide.
- The living animal could have reached a total length of about 60 cm.
- The discovery was detailed in the journal Papers in Palaeontology.
- The first specimen was found in the late 1990s, with a second found in 2019.
Key insights
- The unusual size of Wyoteuthis linsterorum may indicate unique hunting strategies.
- The discovery highlights the potential for finding new species in well-studied fossil groups.
- Cliff Linster's contributions to paleontology are honored through this discovery.
Why it matters
This discovery adds to our understanding of marine life during the Jurassic Period.
Tags
Entities
Wyoteuthis linsterorum· SpeciesWyoming· LocationPapers in Palaeontology· PublicationDean Lomax· PersonCliff Linster· PersonJessica Lippincott· PersonAlexey Ippolitov· Person
Source
Science Daily
